Search Results

Exploring worlds beyond Earth will require terrestrial life to survive and ultimately flourish in environments fundamentally different to those in which it has evolved. The effects of deep space and conditions on the surface of other worlds must be studied and compared to the Earth, to understand and reduce the risks to explorers, and to make full use of the broad research opportunities and scientific benefits offered by such unique environments. We are only beginning to learn about adaptations to the space environment -- key changes in terrestrial life may only be revealed over complete life cycles and across multiple generations beyond Earth. The demands and potential risks of exploring and inhabiting other worlds necessitate a detailed understanding of these changes at all levels of biological organization, from the smallest genetic alteration to impacts on critical elements of reproduction, development and aging.

Studying the biology of terrestrial life on another world will offer unique opportunities for understanding the fundamental nature of life in the universe. Still accelerating revolutions in biotechnology, information technology, robotics, and super-miniaturization now make it possible to conduct detailed research into opportunities inherent in living on other worlds. Although close to Earth, the Moon includes features found nowhere else in the solar system. Different gravity, radiation stresses, magnetic fields and day/night cycles are among the biologically relevant forces of interest on the Moon. Results from studying different organisms in the lunar environment over complete life cycles and multiple generations would provide the first comparative, biological reference data of the transition of life from one world to another, and foundational information for evaluating potential health and safety problems on a Mars mission.

The Controlled Environment Research Chamber (CERC) at the NASA Ames Research Center was created for early-on investigation of promising new technologies for life support of advanced space exploration missions. The CERC facility is being used to address the advanced technology requirements necessary to implement an integrated working and living environment for a planetary habitat. The CERC, along with a human-powered centrifuge, a planetary terrain simulator, advanced displays, and a virtual reality capability, is able to develop and demonstrate applicable technologies for future planetary exploration. There will be several robotic mechanisms performing exploration tasks external to the habitat that will be controlled through the virtual environment to provide representative workloads for the crew.