Space Exploration

Space exploration imposes new challenges on human systems and terrestrial life in general.

Space Medicine  in-flight debilitation, long-term failure to recover, clinical capabilities, and skill retention Advanced Life Support  atmosphere, water, thermal control, logistics, waste disposal Environmental Health  atmosphere, water, contaminants Planetary Extra-Vehicular Activity  dust, suit design, serviceability Radiation Effects  carcinogenesis, CNS damage, fertility, sterility, heredity Medical Care Environment & Technology Human Behavior & Performanc e Risk Elements & Categories Human H ealth & Performance Human Performance  psychosocial, workload, sleep

Beyond Tang: The Hidden Benefits of the Space Program Technology developed for space program has often subsequently provided practical benefits to society. Technology developed for space program has often subsequently provided practical benefits to society. Such as: Such as: – Robotic surgery – telemedicine

Image Processing Image Processing technology now used in CAT scans and MRI evolved from techniques originally developed for analyzing lunar and planetary images. Image Processing technology now used in CAT scans and MRI evolved from techniques originally developed for analyzing lunar and planetary images.

Highway Monitoring Monitoring of traffic at multiple intersections and highways was developed from NASA Mission Control technology. Monitoring of traffic at multiple intersections and highways was developed from NASA Mission Control technology.

Other Transportation Spinoffs Composite Materials Fuel Cell Technology Automatic Navigation Systems

Communications Communication satellites have revolutionized long- distance telephone communications. Communication satellites have revolutionized long- distance telephone communications. Much of the cell phone technology has been derived from space program spinoffs. Much of the cell phone technology has been derived from space program spinoffs.

Other Consumer Spinoffs Camera Chips Chair Lifts Fiber Optics 

Weather Satellites Weather satellites have dramatically improved weather forecasts and severe weather predictions. Weather satellites have dramatically improved weather forecasts and severe weather predictions.

Miniaturization Much of the technology which has led to smaller computers was derived from NASA’s need to reduce weight on space missions. Much of the technology which has led to smaller computers was derived from NASA’s need to reduce weight on space missions.

Issues related to Space Exploration

1. Ethical Issues Ethics = the set of moral principles and values that guide our actions and help us to decide what is right and what is wrong.

How do we ensure that space resources will be used to help all humankind, rather than just to provide an advantage for one country or another?

Do humans have the right to explore other environments around the solar system? Do humans have the right to take materials from other bodies in the solar system?

2. Environmental Issues How will space exploration affect Earth′s natural systems? Who will be responsible for policing environmental impacts? Who is responsible for cleaning up any damage or debris caused by space exploration and development?

3. Political Issues Who owns space resources? Should countries share technology and resources? Who should decide how space resources will be used? Space exploration is very expensive! Sending humans into space is risky and dangerous.