Life in Space (eBook)

A little-known yet critical part ofNASA historyLife in Space explores the many aspects andoutcomes of NASAs research in life sciences, a little-understood endeavor thathas often been overlooked in histories of the space agency. Maura Mackowskidetails NASAs work in this field from spectacular promises made during theReagan era to the major new directions set by George W. Bushs Vision for SpaceExploration in the early twenty-first century. At thefirst flight of NASAs space shuttle in 1981, hopes ran high for the shuttleprogram to achieve its potential of regularly transporting humans, cargo, andscientific experiments between Earth and the International Space Station.Mackowski describes different programs, projects, and policies initiated acrossNASA centers and headquarters in the following decades to advance research intohuman safety and habitation, plant and animal biology, and commercialbiomaterials. Mackowski illuminates these ventures in fascinating detail bydrawing on rare archival sources, oral histories, interviews, and site visits. While highlighting significant achievements and innovations such asspace radiation research and the Neurolab Spacelab Mission, Mackowski revealsfrustrationslost opportunities, stagnation, and dead endsstemming fromfrequent changes in presidential administrations and policies. For todaysdreams of lunar outposts or long-term spaceflight to become reality, Mackowskiargues, a robust program in space life sciences is essential, and the historyin this book offers lessons to help prevent leaving more expectationsunfulfilled.