Building a Space-Faring Civilization

Advancing the Renaissance of Science, Medicine and Human Performance in Civilian Spaceflight

1st Edition - January 29, 2025
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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Building 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.

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

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.

Affiliations and expertise

CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Sovaris Aerospace, USA; President, Human Research Program for Civilian Spaceflight

Marianne Legato J

Dr. Marianne Legato, Emerita Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University, is an internationally known academic physician, author, lecturer, and specialist in gender-specific medicine. She is founding member of the International Society for Gender Medicine and the founder and director of The Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University and its next iteration, The Foundation for Gender-Specific Medicine. She has published extensively on gender and sex specific medicine, both for the scientific community and for the lay public. She is also the founding editor of the Journal Gender Medicine, and the journal Gender and the Genome. In 1992, Dr. Legato won the American Heart Association’s Blakeslee Award for the best book written for the lay public on cardiovascular disease. The third edition of her textbook, Principles of Gender-Specific Medicine and her most recent book, The Plasticity of Sex., both won Prose awards from the American Association of Editors in 2021 and 2022 respectively. She is a practicing internist in New York City and has been listed each year in New York Magazine and Castle Connolly’s lists "Best Doctors" since their inception in 1993.

Affiliations and expertise

Emerita Professor, Clinical Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and Adjunct Professor, Medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical School

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health