Readings | Still Images | Links

Overview

Putting life into space required the development of advanced technology, to protect humans and other organisms from the harsh space environment. Besides the spacecraft itself, specific hardware was needed to house research animals in an environment optimized for their well-being. Simple habitats used for lab animal care on Earth were not suitable. Changes in air and fluid flow in the microgravity environment presented challenges for feeding the animals and disposing of their waste. In addition, the crew needed protection from any particulates that might escape into the spacecraft cabin atmosphere. Further technology was needed to automate much of the experiment processes, to free up crew time and make inflight operations easier. Currently, the focus of animal habitat development is on long-term care for the International Space Station, where experiment increments will last for several months.

A great deal of research has also been done in the field of bioinstrumentation. Bioinstrumentation refers to the use of a sensor or other device, attached to or embedded in the subject's body, to record and transmit physiologic data to a receiving and monitoring station. Many space flight experiments can benefit from the use of biosensors, devices that translate biological variables such as electric potentials, movement, and chemical concentrations. into electrical signals, which can be recorded and stored electronically. If an experiment relies on post-flight measurements alone, the data may be confounded by reentry effects. Using biosensors to collect data in-flight removes any artifacts induced by landing stress. The use of biosensors to collect data also eliminates the need for crew interaction with the experiment, saving valuable crew time.

Designing biosensors for space life sciences research poses many challenges. In a ground experiment, where lab space is not a limiting factor, animals can be housed separately for data collection, or equipped with an external tether or backpack telemetry system. In space, where lab animals must be group housed, bulky external biosensors will not work. A sensor for space must be miniaturized, and most likely biocompatable for long-term implantation. These requirements have driven cutting-edge technology research into bioinstrumentation, spin-offs from which are now being used in such fields as fetal monitoring.

Readings

Bacterial Integrated Circuits Description: Bioluminescent Bioreporter Integrated Circuits are a tiny, low-cost, low-power way to detect pollutants within spacecraft. (Posted on 10/04)

Biology-based Technology to Enhance Human Well-being and Function in Extended Space Exploration Description: This report, published by the National Research Council, addresses technology needs for extended space exploration. (Posted on 04/05)

A Black Box for People Description: Scientists and engineers at NASA have developed a device that continuously records an astronaut's biological measurements, including the heart rate of the wearer, blood oxygen levels, and type of movement the wearer is engaged in. (Posted on 6/04)

Life into Space Hardware Appendices Description: These appendices from the two volumes of the Life into Space reference books profile flight hardware used in life sciences experiments flown on missions during the periods of 1965-1990 and 1991-1998. Each hardware description is accompanied by a listing of specifications and an illustration. Links to the entire books can be found in the Book Profiles of General Resources. (Posted on 12/00)

Outbreak Alerts from Space Description: Using satellite images, scientists are moving toward a system to help prevent or curb the severity of disease outbreaks around the world. (Posted on 6/04)

Tumbleweeds in the Bloodstream Description: Researchers are attempting to use nanoparticles to monitor health at the cellular level, detecting sickness long before symptoms appear. Such technology might help mitigate the risks of radiation and other illnesses on a Mars expedition. (Posted on 04/05)

Virtual Reality Meets Real-World Medicine Description: From NASA's Space Life Sciences Research Highlights series, this is an overview of the work of Muriel Ross, a scientist who lead the design of a tool for computerized image reconstruction of neurons. The Reconstruction of Serial Sections (ROSS) software has wide ranging applications to surgery, telemedicine, and beyond.

(Posted on 04/05)

A Wearable Biological Monitoring System for Astronauts Description: Living and working in space is very different from living and working on Earth. Monitoring astronauts vital signs is important but can be time consuming. LifeGuard is a wearable system designed for extreme environments that collects biological data without interrupting busy mission schedules. (Posted on 10/04)

Still Images

Bioreactor
Bioreactor Source: NASA
Format: JPEG
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Description: The NASA bioreactor provides a model for simulating microgravity cell cultures on the ground. The rotating vessel maintains cells in a state of continual freefall allowing for the growth of three dimensional cultures. (Posted on 10/04)

Biocomputation Image of Inner Ear
Source: NASA
Format: JPEG
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Description: 3-D image of the inner ear constructed using Reconstruction of Serial Section Software (ROSS), which was originally developed to investigate changes in inner-ear neurons during space flight. (Posted on 5/04)

Centrifuge Accommodation Module
Source: NASDA
Format: JPEG
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Description: This image shows the Centrifuge Accommodation Module, which supports gravitational biology research on board the International Space Station. (Posted on 5/04)

Biocomputation Image of Inner Ear
Source: NASA
Format: JPEG
View the image

Description: 3-D image of the inner ear constructed using Reconstruction of Serial Section Software (ROSS), which was originally developed to investigate changes in inner-ear neurons during space flight. (Posted on 5/04)

Life Sciences Glovebox (in the CAM)
Source: NASDA
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Description: The Life Sciences Glovebox within the Centrifuge Accommodation Module on the International Space Station. (Posted on 5/04)

Links

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Astrobionics
Astrobionics is a NASA agency-wide technology program that supports all aspects of space biology.

The Center for Gravitational Biology Research
The Center for Gravitational Biology Research (CGBR) hosts facilities for conducting ground-based gravitational experiments with cells, animals, and humans.

European Space Research & Technology Centre
ESTEC conducts research and technology development for the European Space Agency.

Human System Research & Technology Development
NASA's work in the areas of human health and performance, life support, and habitation technologies for crews in and beyond low Earth orbit is outlined on this section of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate site.

NASA Advanced Technology Integration
This resource for understanding NASA's work in space and life sciences includes an overview of NASA's technology integration activities, a portal to archived visual presentations on related topics, and a reference section with downloads and annotated Web links.

NASA Technology Portal
This site covers technology-related activities across the agency.

National Center for Space Biological Technologies
The NCSBT conducts and promotes basic and applied R&D of a range of biological technologies important to NASA activities, with commercial, medical, and biological spin-off opportunities. Areas of particular focus include human physiologic monitoring systems and advanced autonomous instrumentation for space biology research.

Space Station Biological Research Project
The Space Station Biological Research Project oversees the development of NASA life sciences hardware and facilities for the International Space Station.