Efforts are already underway to create human settlements beyond Earth. If these efforts are successful, how will subsequent generations of humans by affected by life on other planets, like Mars? Studies of astronauts on the International Space Station have provided a wealth of information about the effects of spaceflight on the human body and mind. Likewise, the biological basis for adapting to new environments is well understood by the biologists that study isolated populations of plants and animals here on Earth. By combining these two fields of study we can make meaningful predictions about how each generation born on Mars will be better adapted to life on the red planet than those that came before.

Event Date: 12/03/2019

The year-long mission of American astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko included the most complex biomedical experiments ever conducted on the International Space Station yielding crucial scientific data on the physiological, psychological, and medical effects of long duration spaceflight. Together with the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Biomedical Problems, NASA's Human Research Program identified more than 20 biomedical investigations to be conducted on the two crew members before, during, and after their year-long expedition. By chance, Kelly was one of a pair of homozygous twins, and both brothers volunteered for additional genetic measurements to clarify the effects of spaceflight exposure at every level of organization of the human body.

Event Date: 10/17/2019

As we celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Administrator Bridenstine will discuss the impact that NASA has on modern society and will provide insight into NASA’s vision for returning humans to the Moon and on to Mars.

Event Date: 04/12/2019