The Human Factor in the Settlement of the Moon: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Approaching the settlement of our Moon from a practical perspective, this book is well suited for space program planners. It addresses a variety of human factor topics involved in colonizing Earth's Moon, including: history, philosophy, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, politics & policy, sociology, and anthropology. Each chapter identifies the complex, interdisciplinary issues of the human factor that arise in the early phases of settlement on the Moon. Besides practical issues, there is some emphasis placed on preserving, protecting, and experiencing the lunar environment across a broad range of occupations, from scientists to soldiers and engineers to construction workers. The book identifies utilitarian and visionary factors that shape human lives on the Moon. It offers recommendations for program planners in the government and commercial sectors and serves as a helpful resource for academic researchers. Together, the coauthors ask and attempt to answer: “How will lunar society be different?

Visions of a Martian Future

As we look beyond our terrestrial boundary to a multi-planetary future for humankind, it becomes paramount to anticipate the challenges of various human factors on the most likely scenario for this future: permanent human settlement of Mars. Even if technical hurdles are circumvented to provide adequate resources for basic physiological and psychological needs, Homo sapiens will not survive on an alien planet if a dysfunctional psyche prohibits the utilization of these resources. No matter how far we soar into the stars, our psychologies for future generations will be forever tethered to the totality of our surroundings. By shaping our environment toward survival and welfare during the voyage to Mars and in a Martian colony, we indirectly shape our psyches and prepare them for a mission of unprecedented alienation and duration. Once on Mars, human factors such as leadership structure, social organization and code of conduct, group size, gender balance, developmental cycle, mobility, length of stay and the ecological settings and type and manner of subsistence, will create a novel Martian culture. The degree that settlers are severed from the Earth will affect how radically foreign this culture will be when compared with cultures on Earth

Neuroplasticity as a foundation for human enhancements in space

The space medicine literature reports changes in neurological systems of astronauts after spaceflight, which has caused understandable concern. Rehabilitative medicine provides a preliminary context to address these changes and creative efforts in preflight training and post-flight remediation have resulted. Research can now begin to determine the neurological changes that are most and least debilitating, the most and least reversible, and which can be tolerated as an adaptation to space. It is not yet known which changes will require remediation with the help of human enhancements, or the type (genetic, pharmacological, prosthetic) when crew venture on long voyages to Mars, the asteroids, and outer planets. Absent from the discussion to date is the biological basis for neuroplastic changes in spaceflight-genetic, developmental, and evolutionary-especially insights from genomics experts and paleobiologists that suggest advantages. Humans are flexible, adaptive, and in many ways, well suited for space with the help of enhancements. Their neurological plasticity provides an almost unique foundation in the animal kingdom for genetic engineering, medication management, and remediation, so enhancements can be integrated naturally into human bodies, lives, and work. Here, the authors explore the nature of human neuroplasticity as a foundation for use of human enhancements.24 month embargo; available online 10 June 2020This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Changing the Paradigm on Human Enhancements: The Special Case of Modifications to Counter Bone Loss for Manned Mars Missions

Among the greatest obstacles to the implementation of crewed space missions are human biological limitations. Difficulties were always envisioned in relation to both Earth's moon and Mars but more so for Mars because long spaceflights would also expose crew to prolonged microgravity conditions, in addition to radiation. The result could well be osteoporosis, bone fractures, and disability. In this article, we do not contest the validity of bone loss studies. Rather, we question a seemingly tacit assumption about the immutability of human nature. Indeed, new, invasive, and noninvasive techniques of human enhancement already allow humans to enjoy modifications that will enable lengthy space missions. The alteration of human DNA has not only aided cancer patients but, for example, by using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing procedure, can also help to prevent damage to limbs and joints that a prolonged Mars mission could cause for the crew. Possible ethical objections to this solution are discussed, and trade-offs between risks and benefits outlined. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.24 month embargo; available online 19 March 2019This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Ethical issues of human enhancements for space missions to Mars and beyond

A human mission to Mars is planned by public and private agencies. It is broadly discussed and studied by scientists in such fields as medicine and aerospace engineering. Less attention is being paid by philosophers and ethicists, and social scientists as well. The aim of this paper is to discuss possible ethical challenges and issues, which may appear during a human mission to Mars. We focus our attention mostly on one issue - the idea of human enhancements for space missions. While our case study is mostly a mission to Mars, ethical issues around human enhancement for space are also relevant for other longer-term human expeditions, including Lunar missions, and beyond. Because the space environment is hazardous for humans, it can be expected that new ethical issues concerning the value of human life may appear.24 month embargo; available online 19 November 2019This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Making cosmic particle accelerators visible and audible

In a collaboration between astroparticle physicists, animation artists from the award-winning Science Communication Lab, and musician Carsten Nicolai (a.k.a. Alva Noto), two cosmic particle accelerators have been brought to life: the massive binary star Eta Carinae, and the exploding star, which resulted in the gamma-ray burst GRB190829A. For Eta Carinae, the computer-generated images are close to reality because the measured orbital, stellar, and wind parameters were used for this purpose. Particle acceleration in the jet of GRB190829A has also been animated at a level of detail not seen before. The internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Carsten Nicolai, who uses the pseudonym Alva Noto for his musical works, exclusively composed the sound for the animations. The multimedia projects aim at making the discoveries more accessible to the general public, and to mediate scientific results and their reference to reality from an artistic point of view

Making cosmic particle accelerators visible and audible

In a collaboration between astroparticle physicists, animation artists from the award-winning Science Communication Lab, and musician Carsten Nicolai (a.k.a. Alva Noto), two cosmic particle accelerators have been brought to life: the massive binary star Eta Carinae, and the exploding star, which resulted in the gamma-ray burst GRB190829A. For Eta Carinae, the computer-generated images are close to reality because the measured orbital, stellar, and wind parameters were used for this purpose. Particle acceleration in the jet of GRB190829A has also been animated at a level of detail not seen before. The internationally acclaimed multimedia artist Carsten Nicolai, who uses the pseudonym Alva Noto for his musical works, exclusively composed the sound for the animations. The multimedia projects aim at making the discoveries more accessible to the general public, and to mediate scientific results and their reference to reality from an artistic point of view