NASA Vision and Mission

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NASA Vision and Mission

• NASAs Mission
• To understand and protect our home planet
• To explore the Universe and search for life
• To inspire the next generation of explorers
• as only NASA can.

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NASA Headquarters Organization
NASA ADMINISTRATOR - Sean OKeefe Deputy
Administrator Chief of Staff Chief Engineer Chief
Financial Officer Chief Scientist - John
Grunsfeld Chief Technologist Chief Health and
Medical Officer - Rich Williams
Safety and Mission Assurance Code Q
Education Code N
Aerospace Technology Code R
Earth Science Code Y
Space Flight Code M
Space Science Code S
OBPR Biological and Physical Research Code U
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Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR)
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OBPR Research Plan
http//spaceresearch.nasa.gov/research_projects/re
splans.html
NASA Advisory Council (NAC), September, 2002
NASAs Office of Biological and Physical
Research (OBPR) made good use of the ReMaP
report. OBPR further prioritized the high
priority research programs defined by ReMaP, as
NAC had requestedThe process by which OBPR did
this was clear and credible.
NASA Strategic Plan
OBPR Enterprise Strategy
25 years
ReMAP
10 years
Then
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(http//spaceresearch.nasa.gov/general_info/strat_
lite.html)
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Organizing Question 1. How can we assure the
survival of humans traveling far from Earth?
OUTCOME
Research Targets
Today
2004-2008
2009-2016
Evaluate and validate system-targeted
countermeasures to prevent or reduce risks
Mitigate and manage human adaptation risks
55 risks identified for outcome-driven research
Characterize and assess critical risks
Promising countermeasures identified and studied
Advance understanding of mechanisms
Complete initial in-flight testing of optimized
set of countermeasures (artificial gravity with
other countermeasures)
Knowledge obtained using ground-based mechanistic
studies
Develop and test candidate countermeasures w/
ground analogs and space flight
Reduce uncertainties and prevent exposure to
space radiation environments
Uncertainties exist in estimating radiation risks
Reduce uncertainty by one-half
Assure at a 95-percent confidence interval
crewmembers will not exceed radiation risk limits
for longer-duration missions
Expand mechanistic understanding using other
models
Ability of humans to retain function and remain
healthy during and after long-duration missions
beyond low-Earth orbit
Study of mechanistic effects in work
Test and evaluate biomedical and operational
countermeasures
Exposure mitigated using EVA scheduling and dose
limits
Develop and test new countermeasures
Identification and increased understanding of
psychosocial and behavioral health issues
Psychosocial functioning and behavioral health
status studied for individuals
Identify key psychosocial and psychological
stressors
Maintain behavioral health and optimal function
of crews
Develop and test assessment methods, tools, and
models
Sleep protocols implemented
Validate assessment methods and tools
Psychosocial function and performance studied for
small groups in remote settings
Develop and test optimized countermeasures
through ground and space research
Verify and validate countermeasure strategies
Determine acceptable levels of risk for
longer-duration missions, and test and validate
countermeasures
Develop autonomous medical care capabilities
Stabilize and return medical care model developed
Develop standardized approach to track health
status
Screening and select-in criteria in place for
current mission scenarios
Determine clinical trends and define acceptable
levels of risk
Identify and assess crew screening and
certification for longer-duration missions
Perform research to enhance medical capabilities,
including screening, countermeasures, and
treatment regimens
Demonstrate autonomous medical care capabilities
Research Capabilities
Ground labs including analogs, Shuttle, ISS
Ground labs including analogs and integrated
testing, Shuttle, ISS, free flyers
Ground labs including analogs, Shuttle, ISS
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1. How does the human body adapt to space flight and
   what are the most effective/efficient ways to
   counteract those adaptive affects when hazardous?
2. How can we limit the risk of harmful health
   effects associated with exposure of human space
   explorers to the space radiation environments?
3. How can we provide an optimal environment to
   support behavioral health and human performance
   of the crew before, during, and after space
   flight?
4. How can we enable autonomous medical care in
   space?

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• Past and current areas of NASA/NIH collaboration
• Flight - NIH missions, Neurolab, STS-95,
  physiological effects of sex differences
• Ground - Spaceline with NLM, joint NSCORTs and
  jointly-funded RFPs in a variety of disciplines,
  NIH AO, NASA shared use of NIH GCRCs
• Potential areas for NASA/NIH collaboration
• Research to develop therapeutics, procedures,
  techniques, and equipment needed to address
  flight medical, safety, and performance issues.
• Examples of specific topic areas of possible
  mutual interest for ground-based or flight
  research
• Improved strategies to prevent bone and muscle
  loss and other physiological pathologies in
  space
• Prediction, understanding and treatment of
  radiation damage
• New technology for quickly and accurately
  monitoring crew health
• Technologies for autonomous medical diagnosis and
  treatment in remote locations
• Behavioral health of isolated small groups
  working under stressful conditions

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Organizing Question 2. How does life respond
to gravity and space environments?
OUTCOME
Research Targets
Today
2004-2008
2009-2016
Determine how genomes and cells respond to gravity
Data on various cell types collected in
short-term studies
Develop physical and genetic models of cellular
responses to space environments for at least two
cell types
Develop cell-based model assays to identify
cellular systems affected by space Integrate
biological effects with cell communications
Determine gravity thresholds and developmental
responses in space using centrifuges on ISS
Determine how gravity affects organisms at
critical stages of development and maturation
Incomplete life cycle and ground-based data
gathered from short-duration flights
Use ground-based simulators, nanosatellites and
ISS to determine gravity responses for a wide
variety of organisms
Ability to predict the responses of cells,
molecules, organisms, and ecosystems to space
environments
Ground-based virulence studies performed, lack
systems supporting mixed organisms in space
Model effects of space environments on pathogenic
and cooperative interactions among species
Identify microorganisms that become pathogenic or
otherwise alter function in space environments
Understand interactions among groups of simple
and complex organisms
Determine how Earth-based life can best adapt to
different space environments through multiple
generations
Preliminary multi-generation flight research
performed on plants
Raise species from multiple kingdoms through
several generations in flight focus on
reproductive success
Raise mammals through multiple generations in
flight investigate developmental adaptations and
critical issues
Research Capabilities
Ground labs, Shuttle, ISS, nanosatellites
Ground labs including analogs and integrated
testing, Shuttle, ISS, free flyers
Ground labs, Shuttle, ISS
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• Potential areas for NASA/NIH collaboration
• Research to elucidate fundamental mechanisms
  underlying molecular, cellular, developmental,
  and physiological
• responses to gravity, radiation, other
  environmental stresses.
• Examples of specific topic areas of possible
  mutual interest for ground-based or flight
  research
• Genomics research
• Mechanistic understanding of bone and muscle
  loss, vertigo, neurological disorders, virulence
  and pathogenicity, cancer, blood cell
  regeneration, and altered immune responsiveness.
• Molecular and cellular basis of radiation damage
  and repair
• Cell structure formation and adaptation
• Microbial ecology, evolution, pharmaceutical
  production
• New technologies for in situ biological research
• Development of handheld biodetection devices
• Nanosatellites .

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Organizing Question 3. What new
opportunities can our research bring to expand
understanding of the laws of nature and enrich
lives on Earth?
OUTCOME
Research Targets
Today
2004-2008
2009-2016
Determine how space environments change physical
and chemical processes
Research hampered by gravity-driven effects
gravity effects not understood in many
technologies
Conduct ground and flight research to develop and
validate models for fluid, thermal, combustion,
and solidification processes
Test extended range models for heat transfer and
microfluidic control, turbulent and high-pressure
combustion validation nanotechnology-based
materials with enhanced and adaptive properties
Research new technologies for advanced photonic
materials
Understand how structure and complexity arise in
nature
Limited experimental data collected on
self-assembly, self-organization, and structure
development processes
Conduct ground and space research in
solidification dynamics, colloidal photonics,
carbon nanostructures
Test solidification models using industrial
systems
Application of physical knowledge to new
technologies and processes, particularly in areas
of power, materials, manufacturing, fire
safety New insights into theories on fundamental
physics, physical/ chemical processes, and
self-organization in structure
Conduct flight investigations in turbulent
combustion, granular material systems, and flows
Conduct research in dynamics of quantum liquids,
atomic clock reference for space
Understand the fundamental laws governing time
and matter
Data of unprecedented accuracy obtained in
microgravity
Test Bose-Einstein condensates atom laser theories
Use satellite experiments to test second-order
models of general relativity
Develop technology for nanogravity satellite
relativity experiments
Conduct tissue-based research and engineering in
space test models for fluid-stress and cellular
response mechanisms
Results obtained from Earth-based bioreactor and
space-based tissue culture need validation
space-based improvements in protein crystal
structures need validation
Test control strategies for cellular response to
fluid stresses
Identify the biophysical mechanisms that control
the cellular and physiological behavior observed
in the space environment
Integrate NASA technologies and research with
biomedical needs
Quantify key physiological signals
Complete space-based flight research and
establish validation of impact on structural
biology
Research Capabilities
Ground labs, Shuttle, ISS, KC-135 aircraft
Ground labs, Shuttle, ISS, KC-135 aircraft, free
flyers
Ground labs, Shuttle, ISS, KC-135 aircraft
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Organizing Question 3. What new
opportunities can our research bring to expand
understanding of the laws of nature and enrich
lives on Earth?
OUTCOME
Research Targets
Today
2004-2008
2009-2016
How can research partnerships-both market-driven
and interagency-support national goals, such as
contributing to economic growth and sustaining
human capital in science and technology
RPC-built hardware flying research spans broad
range relevant to Earth-based industrial
applications
Increase focus on NASA needs, while maintaining
industrial partnership Direct research towards
Earth- and Space-based applications Apply
capabilities and experience of RPCs in building
space fllight hardware to new ISS facilities
Achieve backing by industrial partnerships
towards exploration opportunities Apply RPC
approach to new flight opportunities in LEO and
beyond
Application of physical knowledge to new
technologies and processes, particularly in areas
of power, materials, manufacturing, fire
safety New insights into theories on fundamental
physics, physical/ chemical processes, and
self-organization in structure
Research Capabilities
Ground labs, Shuttle, ISS, KC-135 aircraft
Ground labs, Shuttle, ISS, KC-135 aircraft, free
flyers
Ground labs, Shuttle, ISS, KC-135 aircraft
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Interdisciplinary Research Program for Space
Exploration

• NASA-OBPR Strategic Question 3
• What new opportunities can research bring to
  expand understanding of the laws of nature and
  enrich lives on Earth?
• How do space environments change physical,
  chemical, and biophysical processes, the
  essential building blocks of many critical
  technologies?
• How do structure and complexity arise in nature?
• Where can our research advance our knowledge of
  the fundamental laws governing time and matter?
• What biophysical mechanisms control the cellular
  and physiological behavior observed in the space
  environment?
• How can research partnerships-both market-driven
  and interagency- support national goals, such as
  contributing to the economic growth and
  sustaining human capital in science and
  technology?

The output of research in Question 3 impacts
other OBPR research questions through the
acquisition of knowledge and the development of
new technology
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NASA-OBPR Strategic Question 3 Relevance to NIH

• NASA/OBPR focused strategic research sub-question
  addressed
• What biophysical mechanisms control the cellular
  and
• physiological behavior observed in the space
  environment?
• The program pursues scientific answers and
  develops focused technologies required for the
  implementation of human space exploration
  missions
• The program uniquely leverages advances in
  physical sciences and engineering to enable
  progress in space biomedical care and life
  support capabilities
• The research program has three primary elements
• Cellular Biotechnology Space-based research
• Technology Development Biomedical Engineering
  and Biomolecular Physics and Chemistry
• Private Sector Teaming and Academic Research
  NASA Research Partnership Centers and NASA
  Bioscience and Engineering Institute

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PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP RESEARCH SUPPORTING
ORGANIZING QUESTIONS

• How can we assure the survival of humans
  traveling far from earth?
• Research in osteoprotegerin to mitigate bone loss
  in astronauts and terrestrial application for
  patient populations
• Pathogen detection and mitigation
• Remote medical diagnostic capability
• Closed environment system development and
  advances
• Plant growth research
• Environmental monitoring including food and water
  quality
• How does life respond to gravity and the space
  environment?
• Genomics research
• Protein crystal growth and structure based drug
  design
• Cell structure formation and adaptation
• Microbial research including bacterial growth
  patterns, with terrestrial application in
  pharmaceutical production
• 3. What new opportunities can research bring to
  expand understanding of the laws of nature and
  enrich lives on Earth?
• Improved ceramic materials for hip and knee
  transplants
• Fire suppression technology for spacecraft
  systems and environmentally safer fire
  suppression capabilities
• Zeolite crystal growth research for chemical and
  refining industries and potential medical
  applications
• Research in thermophysical and metallurgical
  properties towards improved alloys and casting
  processes.

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Organizing Question 4. What technology must
we create to enable the next explorers to go
beyond where we have been?
OUTCOME
Research Targets
Today
2004-2008
2009-2016
Increase efficiency through life-support system
closure
Current ISS baseline is a 90-day resupply
Develop technologies that lower Equivalent System
Mass (ESM)
Perform on-orbit validation of critical
components and certification of life-support
technologies for missions beyond LEO
Components with improved efficiency are the focus
Perform integrated testing of lower ESM
life-support technologies and subsystems in
relevant environments
Perform integrated testing of life-support
systems with humans in the loop
Enable engineering systems and advanced materials
for safe and efficient space travel
High-mass/cost, low-performance materials used
Develop and test low- and partial-gravity fluid
and thermal engineering systems
ISS experiments to test prototype engineering
systems
Complete development of advanced materials for
radiation-shielding solutions
Understanding of low- and partial-gravity issues
incomplete
Develop and test design tools for advanced
materials and in-space fabrication, and validate
on ISS
Validate prototype low- and partial-gravity
resource-generation technologies
New technologies that provide for more efficient,
reliable, and autonomous systems for sustainable
human presence beyond low-Earth orbit
Predictive methods and models limited for
habitability analysis, information management,
crew training, multi-agent team task analysis,
integrated human systems engineering
Define and develop habitats that optimize human
performance
Enable self-supporting and autonomous
human-systems for performance in habitable
environments
Validate habitat designs for multiple missions
Validate human-system design simulation
Develop tools and models for human-systems
integration
Deliver validated design require-ments and
integrated simulation tools for multiple missions
Develop advanced environmental monitoring and
control systems
Technologies exist for partial monitoring of ISS
environment
Develop sensing capabilities for 90 of existing
air Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations
(SMACs)
Develop miniaturized, reali-time, efficient
sensing capabilities for air and water
Individual sensors developed
Develop sensing capabilities and SMACs to monitor
water
Validate integrated systems
Develop autonomous controls architecture design
Research Capabilities
Ground facilities, simulators, Shuttle, ISS,
KC-135 aircraft
Ground facilities, Shuttle, ISS, KC-135 aircraft
Integrated ground test facilities, Shuttle, ISS,
KC-135 aircraft, free flyers
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• How can we enable the next generation of
  autonomous, reliable spacecraft human support
  subsystems?
• What new reduced-gravity engineering systems and
  advanced materials are required to enable
  efficient and safe deep-space travel?
• How can we enable optimum human performance and
  productivity during extended isolation from
  Earth?
• What automated sensing and control systems must
  we create to ensure that the crew is living in a
  safe and healthy environment?

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• Potential areas for NASA/NIH collaboration
• Examples of specific topic areas of possible
  mutual interest
• Advanced Environmental Sensor technologies
• Monitoring the microbial environment
• Near term example Lambert group at JPL creating
  multiplexed quantum dot lateral flow assays for
  pathogens in water
• Longer term example Sayler of U. Tennessee
  developing bioluminescent detection of pathogens
  by genetic modification of bacteriophages
• Related work AEMC has funded Allen(PSI Inc,
  past) and Tittel(Rice U., past and present) for
  optical monitoring of trace gases in air. They
  are also a team, near the end of their funding by
  NASA/NCI for optical monitoring of trace gases in
  exhaled breath as a minimally invasive diagnostic
  tool.

• Plant growth research
• Environmental monitoring including food and water
  quality