Bioscience and Medical Technology: From the Earth to Space and Back

AbstractThroughout the 70-year history of NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), technology development efforts that promoted advancement in aeronautics technologies, aerospace sciences, materials for hostile environments, and microgravity physics have also enabled the maturation of technologies that have affected medical practice on Earth, in the air, and in space. GRC’s unique skill mix, required for aeronautics research and space exploration, ultimately also advanced the development of a wide array of capabilities applicable to biomedical engineering. This paper presents a historical review of notable biomedical endeavors at GRC that have addressed common and uncommon medical conditions afflicting both astronauts and non-astronauts. It also highlights the unique physiological stressors associated with residing in space. The physiological changes associated with these stimuli present evolving challenges for researchers to devise new and innovative medical interventions and technologies.