Exploration-Related Research on ISS:Connecting Science Results to Future Missions
Author(s)
ASI Sponsor
Jennifer L. Rhatigan
Julie A. Robinson, Charles F. Sawin
Date Issued
2005-08-01
Publisher
AIAA
Abstract
In January, 2004, the U.S. President announced The Vision for Space Exploration, and charged
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with using the International Space
Station (ISS) for research and technology targeted at supporting U.S. space exploration goals.
This paper describes:
• What we have learned from the first four years of research on ISS relative to the exploration
mission,
• The on-going research being conducted in this regard, and
• Our current understanding of the major exploration mission risks that the ISS can be used to
address.
Specifically, we discuss research carried out on the ISS to determine the mechanisms by which
human health is affected on long-duration missions, and to develop countermeasures to protect
humans from the space environment. These bioastronautics experiments are key enablers of
future long duration human exploration missions. We also discuss how targeted technological
developments can enable mission design trade studies. We discuss the relationship between the
ultimate number of human test subjects available on the ISS to the quality and quantity of
scientific insight that can be used to reduce health risks to future explorers. We discuss the
results of NASA’s efforts over the past year to realign the ISS research programs to support a
product-driven portfolio that is directed towards reducing the major risks of exploration
missions.
The fundamental challenge to science on ISS is completing experiments that answer key
questions in time to shape design decisions for future exploration. In this context, explorationrelevant
research must do more than be conceptually connected to design decisions—it must
become a part of the mission design process.
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with using the International Space
Station (ISS) for research and technology targeted at supporting U.S. space exploration goals.
This paper describes:
• What we have learned from the first four years of research on ISS relative to the exploration
mission,
• The on-going research being conducted in this regard, and
• Our current understanding of the major exploration mission risks that the ISS can be used to
address.
Specifically, we discuss research carried out on the ISS to determine the mechanisms by which
human health is affected on long-duration missions, and to develop countermeasures to protect
humans from the space environment. These bioastronautics experiments are key enablers of
future long duration human exploration missions. We also discuss how targeted technological
developments can enable mission design trade studies. We discuss the relationship between the
ultimate number of human test subjects available on the ISS to the quality and quantity of
scientific insight that can be used to reduce health risks to future explorers. We discuss the
results of NASA’s efforts over the past year to realign the ISS research programs to support a
product-driven portfolio that is directed towards reducing the major risks of exploration
missions.
The fundamental challenge to science on ISS is completing experiments that answer key
questions in time to shape design decisions for future exploration. In this context, explorationrelevant
research must do more than be conceptually connected to design decisions—it must
become a part of the mission design process.