Bringing life sciences to life

摘要

Studying the effects of space travel on plants, animals, and humans benefits life on Earth as well as in space. Just as the ocean's uncharted waters held dangers for early explorers, the frontier of space presents hazards for today's space travelers. High-energy particles bombard astronauts, and prolonged exposure to microgravity affects the body in ways still being studied by life scientists. NASA's space life sciences work focuses on three broad areas: gravitational biology, medical and behavioral research, and development of advanced life-support systems. Time and time again, this triad of research tasks has brought down-to-Earth benefits. Space life sciences research not only can improve the quality of life-on Earth as well as in space猙ut has spurred many technological innovations of commercial value.