航天医学基础Introduction.pptVIP

Introduction to Space Life Sciences Key Concepts Space Life Sciences: What is it ? Where we are The historical context of human spaceflight How we got there The importance of continuing research before long-duration exploration missions can be safely undertaken Where do we go from here Space Life Sciences—What is it Life Sciences are specifically devoted to the working of the living world (from bacteria and plants to humans) On Earth, all living organisms have developed as a result of constant exposure to 1-g gravity Space Life Sciences open a door to understanding ourselves, our evolution, the working of our world without the constraining barrier of gravity Beside microgravity, during space flight living organisms are also affected by ionizing radiation, isolation, confinement, changes in circadian rhythms (24-hr day/night cycle), etc. Objectives of space life sciences: Enhance fundamental knowledge in cell biology and human physiology Protect the health of astronauts Develop advanced technology and applications for space and ground-based research Justification for Human Spaceflight Robotics versus Human crews = Apples versus Oranges Human Pros: intelligent operators, efficient end-effectors Human Cons: expensive, complexity of habitable environment Human spaceflight critics often discount the value of Life Sciences on the “Discovery Ledger (Big Book)” — often due to following fundamentals differences: Physical Sciences: more concrete discoveries in relatively unexplored sphere Life Sciences: an inherently inexact science; context of background physiological variability; requirement for repeated measurements Space Medicine versus Space Physiology Space Medicine To solve medical problems encountered in spaceflight Includes some adaptive changes (e.g., space motion sickness), environmental exposures, etc. Includes also some non-pathologic changes which become maladaptive on return to Earth (e.g., bone loss) Outlook is operational, views problem