
Building a Space-Faring Civilization
Advancing the Renaissance of Science, Medicine and Human Performance in Civilian Spaceflight
- 1st Edition - January 29, 2025
- Imprint: Academic Press
- Editors: Michael Schmidt A, Marianne Legato J
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 3 8 5 0 - 8
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 3 8 5 1 - 5
Building a Space-Faring Civilization: Advancing the Renaissance of Science, Medicine, and Human Performance in Civilian Spaceflight explores an expanding, unique new trajector… Read more

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Request a sales quoteBuilding a Space-Faring Civilization: Advancing the Renaissance of Science, Medicine, and Human Performance in Civilian Spaceflight explores an expanding, unique new trajectory for humankind—the settlement of space by civilians. For the first time in history, average humans can contemplate journeys to Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars with the idea of space settlement as a plausible reality. As the numbers of spacefaring civilians grow, medical personnel will be asked to meet their complex needs through an ever-expanding discipline—space medicine. But this will require a rapidly advancing science to address what some are calling the next great age in space.
This book gathers some of the most accomplished thought leaders in the field of human spaceflight today. Collectively, they helped build the international space station (ISS), develop the field of orbital medicine, guide the development of commercial orbital platforms, plan missions to the Moon and Mars, and forge the innovation necessary for the commercial spaceflight industry to thrive today. The result is an exceptional source of wisdom, experience, and insight surrounding the current biomedical, technical, industrial, legal, and social implications of what is emerging as a true renaissance period in human history.
- Describes the lessons learned from past explorers from the Renaissance to the present, and how they can guide space exploration today
- Characterizes the risks encountered in the exploration and settlement of different domains of space
- Surveys the types of medical incidents civilian space travelers are likely to encounter, based on professional astronaut reports
- Summarizes the types of biomedical assessment civilian space travelers will require in order to ready themselves for the dangers of space
- Explores the types of preparation, training, and medical countermeasures needed to live and work in space
- Title of Book
- Cover image
- Title page
- Table of Contents
- Copyright
- Dedication
- List of contributors
- Preface
- The tone of this book
- Chapter 1. Space: relaunching Icarus
- Abstract
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 The apocalyptic view
- 1.3 The aspirational view
- 1.4 Space colonization: essential, inevitable, or indefensible?
- 1.5 Harvesting the riches of other worlds: ethical and moral considerations
- 1.6 Space debris
- 1.7 How space impacts human physiology
- 1.8 Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 2. Civilian spaceflight: inspiration from the arts of the Italian Renaissance
- Abstract
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 The perception of terrestrial space
- 2.3 The revolution of perspective
- 2.4 The knowledge of the ancients: texts and instruments
- 2.5 Mathematics, geography, explorations, discoveries
- 2.6 The sky of constellations and planets
- 2.7 Toward modern astronomy
- 2.8 The sky of mythological flyers
- 2.9 Toward modern flight
- Further reading
- Chapter 3. Space—and the third great age of discovery
- Abstract
- 3.1 Launch
- 3.2 One lump, or three?
- 3.3 Islands in the mist
- 3.4 Triangulating the three ages
- 3.5 Missions of discovery: third age
- 3.6 Boldly going where no one is
- 3.7 Geopolitics of exploration: law and disorder
- 3.8 Exploration—and the human factor
- Chapter 4. What do we think about when we think about settling space? An inclusive perspective
- Abstract
- 4.1 Introduction. A place for the philosophy of space exploration
- 4.2 The problem of moral exceptionalism
- 4.3 Biomedical human enhancement
- 4.4 Human reproduction in space and oppression of women
- 4.5 Conclusions
- References
- Chapter 5. Galileo and space colonization
- Abstract
- References
- Chapter 6. Vast is not infinite: challenges to governance and justice due to concentrated and finite space resources
- Abstract
- 6.1 Ends and means—vast is not infinite
- 6.2 Decade: the Moon
- 6.3 Decades: asteroids
- 6.4 Century: the Main Belt
- 6.5 Century: Mars
- 6.6 Millennium: Terraforming Mars and Martian life
- 6.7 Millennium: space cities
- 6.8 Millennium: resource exhaustion
- 6.9 Our better selves
- 6.10 Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 7. The frontier of mining space resources and preparing human explorers and workers for those operations
- Abstract
- 7.1 Introduction
- 7.2 Space mining
- 7.3 Mining near-Earth asteroids
- 7.4 Differences in lunar and asteroid composition
- 7.5 Robotic mining in space
- 7.6 Analogies between cave diving and extravehicular activities
- 7.7 Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 8. What the first commercial space station means for humanity
- Abstract
- 8.1 Introduction
- 8.2 The human diaspora
- 8.3 The role of commerce
- 8.4 Human expansion into space
- 8.5 Commerce in space
- 8.6 The challenge of governance
- 8.7 Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 9. The human experience of conducting engineering and construction operations in space
- Abstract
- 9.1 Introduction
- 9.2 A brief history of reusability in spacecraft engineering
- 9.3 My experience with construction operations in space
- 9.4 My experience in microgravity
- 9.5 Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- References
- Chapter 10. Humanity in the orbital age
- Abstract
- 10.1 Introduction
- 10.2 Transportation
- 10.3 Destinations
- 10.4 Human Spaceflight Center
- 10.5 The Astronaut Training Academy
- 10.6 Humans as a system
- 10.7 Concluding thoughts
- References
- Chapter 11. Space architecture and the four futures of human space flight
- Abstract
- 11.1 Introduction: space is lethal everywhere
- 11.2 Becoming a Type I civilization
- 11.3 The four futures
- 11.4 Sustainable Earth
- 11.5 Space architecture: an invariant need
- References
- Chapter 12. Insights into spaceflight team performance gleaned from the exploration of challenging environments on Earth
- Abstract
- 12.1 Historical overview and perspective of the human exploration experience
- 12.2 The more recent systems perspective with a Human Systems Integration focus
- 12.3 The race for the poles of the Earth as the “Holy Grail” quest of exploration in the early 1900s and possibly a “Model” of what we might expect from the “Driven Questers” of the new space age
- 12.4 The great race for the South Pole of the Earth—Shackleton’s trials
- 12.5 Scott and Amundsen’s race to the Pole 1910–12
- 12.6 Modern analog studies
- 12.7 Conclusions
- References
- Chapter 13. Human Systems Integration: insights from exploring the sky and space—mitigation strategies for future space operations
- Abstract
- 13.1 Introduction
- 13.2 The Mike Adams X-15 mishap—a classic multicausal and relevant HSI case study
- 13.3 Modern display design and operations lessons for person-rated spacefaring systems
- 13.4 The 2014 SpaceShipTwo (SS2) mishap—another classic HSI in-flight test failure case
- 13.5 Summary of the X-15, SpaceShipTwo key cases as lessons learned for future space ops
- 13.6 Overview of medical risks and concerns for long-duration space operations
- 13.7 Overview of the 1997 Mir Progress 234 classic long-duration spaceflight mishap—as a warning
- 13.8 Environmental concerns for space crews
- 13.9 The controls/displays interface of TORU RCS and parameters urged for its employment
- 13.10 Summary of the Mir station problems and overall chapter conclusions/final thoughts
- Acknowledgments
- References
- Chapter 14. Risk and systems knowledge in human spaceflight
- Abstract
- 14.1 Introduction
- 14.2 Human spaceflight systems and risk
- 14.3 Systems knowledge
- 14.4 Systems knowledge and cost
- 14.5 Summary
- References
- Chapter 15. Preparing for the unpredictable: facilitating multisystem resilience in human spaceflight
- Abstract
- 15.1 Introduction
- 15.2 Progressive Earth independence—health and performance
- 15.3 Progressive Earth independence—mission operations
- 15.4 How to quantify, assess, and ensure resilience
- 15.5 What lessons can we learn—how do we promote resilience
- References
- Chapter 16. Twin studies, biobanks, and genome engineering to enable long-duration spaceflight
- Abstract
- 16.1 Introduction
- 16.2 The uniqueness and medical benefit of studying twins
- 16.3 A statistical advantage
- 16.4 Powerful discovery tools of twin design
- 16.5 Nature’s defenses
- 16.6 Engineering genes
- 16.7 Radiation quality versus radiation quantity
- 16.8 Genetic defenses for space
- 16.9 New collection strategies
- 16.10 Real-time monitoring in space
- 16.11 Personalized countermeasures
- 16.12 Summary
- References
- Chapter 17. Using functionally characterized networks in the application of precision medicine in spaceflight
- Abstract
- 17.1 Introduction
- 17.2 A systems approach to precision medicine in space
- 17.3 Characterizing input essentiality
- 17.4 Functionally characterized molecular networks
- 17.5 Functionally characterized networks and the spaceflight response
- 17.6 One-carbon functional network associations
- 17.7 Iron and selected functional network associations
- 17.8 Magnesium, DNA stability, and DNA repair
- 17.9 Niacin, NAD, and PARP functional network associations
- 17.10 Oxalate-associated molecular networks
- 17.11 Conclusion
- Acknowledgment
- References
- Chapter 18. The Astronaut Digital Twin: accelerating discovery and countermeasure development in the optimization of human space exploration
- Abstract
- 18.1 Introduction
- 18.2 Complex systems and systems engineering
- 18.3 Utilizing digital twin platforms
- 18.4 The Astronaut Digital Twin
- 18.5 A systems engineering methodology applied to the development of digital twin platforms
- 18.6 Astronaut digital twin modular construction
- 18.7 Clinical applications of the ADT platform
- 18.8 Incorporation of virtual countermeasures into the Astronaut Digital Twin
- 18.9 Research applications of the ADT platform
- 18.10 Data sources for the Astronaut Digital Twin
- 18.11 Incorporation of functionally characterized networks
- 18.12 Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital twin platforms
- 18.13 Conclusions and future directions
- References
- Chapter 19. Lessons learned—Part I: Medical screening, standards, and in-flight medical incidents, events, or risks
- Abstract
- 19.1 Overview
- 19.2 Introduction
- 19.3 Lessons learned from in-flight medical incidents, events, or risks
- 19.4 Evacuation and high-risk medical events
- Acknowledgments
- References
- Chapter 20. Lessons learned part II: in-flight medical equipment, capabilities, and countermeasures; and new medical paradigms for the future flights to low earth orbit and beyond!
- Abstract
- 20.1 Introduction: in-flight medical equipment and capabilities
- 20.2 Additional in-flight medical concerns and countermeasures
- 20.3 New medical paradigms for future flights to LEO and beyond!
- 20.4 Conclusion
- Acknowledgment
- References
- Chapter 21. Harnessing neuroplasticity’s features for civilian spaceflight through remediation and treatment
- Abstract
- 21.1 Introduction
- 21.2 Deconditioning factors in space
- 21.3 Routine countermeasures for deconditioning
- 21.4 Testing and maintenance
- 21.5 Novel mitigants for deconditioning
- 21.6 Conclusions
- References
- Chapter 22. The critical imperatives of behavioral resilience in civilian space flight travelers
- Abstract
- 22.1 Introduction
- 22.2 Characterization of long-term space habitation
- 22.3 Psychological, sociocultural, and physiological systems
- 22.4 Strategies to build behavioral resilience in CSTs
- 22.5 Conclusions
- References
- Further reading
- Chapter 23. The human research program for civilian spaceflight
- Abstract
- 23.1 Introduction
- 23.2 Considering the hazards of space
- 23.3 Countermeasure concepts for selected biomedical risks
- 23.4 Attributes of the civilian space traveler
- 23.5 Confidentiality and the challenge of full data transparency
- 23.6 Summary
- 23.7 Rationale for a Human Research Program for Civilian Spaceflight
- 23.8 Attributes of the Human Research Program for Civilian Spaceflight
- 23.9 Composition of research teams
- 23.10 Organization of HRP-C operations
- 23.11 Conclusion
- References
- Chapter 24. Biotechnology for a spacefaring civilization—necessary and challenging
- Abstract
- 24.1 Introduction
- 24.2 What is biotechnology?
- 24.3 Biotechnical applications
- 24.4 Scientific inquiry
- 24.5 Extraterrestrial life
- 24.6 Humans in space
- 24.7 Important for the Earth
- 24.8 Methods and tools
- 24.9 Surgery in space
- 24.10 From space direct to Earthlings
- 24.11 For a spacefaring civilization
- 24.12 Summary
- References
- Further reading
- Chapter 25. Foundations of a Space Bill of Rights
- Abstract
- 25.1 Introduction
- 25.2 Principles and assumptions
- 25.3 A Space Bill of Rights
- Index
- Edition: 1
- Published: January 29, 2025
- Imprint: Academic Press
- No. of pages: 392
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN: 9780443138508
- eBook ISBN: 9780443138515
MS
Michael Schmidt A
Dr. Michael A. Schmidt is the CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Sovaris Aerospace. He is a leader in precision medicine applied to humans operating in extreme environments on Earth and in space. Dr. Schmidt has three decades of experience working with elite performers in extreme environments including astronauts, military Special Forces, NFL, NBA, Olympic athletes, military aviators, and others. This includes his early research within NASA’s Human Systems Integration Division. Dr. Schmidt is the President of the Human Research Program for Civilian Spaceflight and is the former President of the Life Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Branch (LSBEB) of the Aerospace Medical Association. His molecular work in space is highlighted in a special 2024 issue of Nature entitled, “Space Omics.” His recent innovations include the Astronaut Digital Twin. Dr. Schmidt is the 2019 winner of the Research & Development Innovation Award from the Life Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Branch of the Aerospace Medical Association. He is the 2020 recipient of the Marie Marving Award for Excellence in Aerospace Medicine from the Aerospace Medical Association.
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