What It Takes to Put Humans in Space | Bernard Harris, Jr. | TEDxBoston

Key Concepts

• Space Medicine: The field of medicine concerned with the unique physiological and psychological challenges of space travel.
• Microgravity: The condition of apparent weightlessness experienced in orbit.
• Deconditioning: The physiological decline experienced by astronauts returning from space due to readaptation to Earth’s gravity.
• Telemedicine: The use of telecommunications technology to provide remote healthcare.
• Space Economy: The economic activities related to space exploration, development, and utilization.
• Artemis Program: NASA’s current program to return humans to the Moon.
• International Space Station (ISS): A modular space station in low Earth orbit, serving as a research laboratory and international collaboration.

The Human Factor in Space: A Look at Space Medicine and the Future of Space Exploration

This presentation focuses on the importance of humans in space exploration, moving beyond the typical discussion of travel and spacewalks to examine the challenges and advancements in space medicine, and the burgeoning space economy. The speaker, a former NASA astronaut, draws on personal experience and expertise to illustrate the complexities of keeping humans healthy and productive in the harsh environment of space, and to highlight the benefits space exploration brings to life on Earth.

Inspiration and Early Influences

The speaker’s passion for space began in 1969 with the Apollo 11 moon landing, a pivotal moment that inspired a young African American boy to pursue a career in space despite the lack of representation. This early inspiration was further fueled by the fictional portrayal of space medicine in Star Trek (Dr. Leonard McCoy) and the real-life pioneering work of Dr. Joe Kerwin, the first American physician in space. The speaker emphasized the significance of this moment, stating, “It was a tremendous leap for this little boy to look at that black and white television and decide to follow in those guy's footsteps.” This personal narrative underscores the power of representation and the enduring impact of early space exploration.

The Hairballs and Early Missions

Joining NASA in 1990 as part of the 13th astronaut class, nicknamed “the Hairballs” due to a playful aversion to the number 13 and the image of a cat coughing up a hairball, the speaker participated in missions that fostered international collaboration. Specifically, Mission 63 marked the first shuttle mission to the Russian space station MIR, symbolized by a patch featuring both American and Russian flags. The speaker proudly pointed out his name on the mission patch. The shuttle itself, weighing approximately 5 million pounds, required the thrust of five engines generating 7.2 million pounds of force to achieve orbit in under 8.5 minutes, subjecting astronauts to forces three to four times their weight.

Physiological Challenges of Space Travel

The presentation detailed the profound physiological effects of microgravity on the human body. Every system is impacted, including:

• Musculoskeletal: Muscle mass loss (15-20%) and bone density loss (1% per month). While exercise mitigates muscle loss, it doesn’t prevent bone loss.
• Cardiovascular: The heart shrinks due to reduced workload in the absence of gravity’s pull on blood. Approximately one-fifth of blood volume normally resides in the lower extremities to counteract gravity.
• Immune System: Decreased white blood cell migration compromises the immune response, necessitating pre-flight quarantine to prevent introducing illnesses into the confined spacecraft environment.
• Radiation Exposure: Increased risk from cosmic radiation.
• Psychological Effects: Stress and depression are potential concerns.
• Intracranial Pressure: A newly identified issue on the ISS, caused by fluid shifting towards the head in microgravity, leading to increased pressure within the skull.

Countermeasures include rigorous exercise regimens (1-2 hours daily using treadmills, bicycles, and the IRAD – a device simulating weightlifting) and pharmaceutical interventions like osteoporosis medication to combat bone loss.

Space Medicine in Practice & Telemedicine Origins

The speaker highlighted the practical aspects of medical care in space, illustrating the challenges with a photograph of Dr. Kerwin examining a crew member in zero gravity. The speaker also described the rudimentary medical technology available at the time, such as a headlight utilizing a concave mirror to reflect ambient light for examination.

The speaker’s involvement in telemedicine predates his astronaut career, having worked on developing medical equipment capable of transmitting physiological data from space. This work culminated in the first telemedicine conference conducted from space, in conjunction with the Mayo Clinic. This early work laid the foundation for advancements like remote vital sign monitoring devices and telehealth kiosks, demonstrating the “spin-off” benefits of space research.

The Expanding Space Economy and Future Outlook

The presentation shifted to the future of space exploration, emphasizing the growing commercialization of space and the emergence of a “new space economy.” The speaker noted the increasing number of companies involved in space activities, beyond traditional government agencies like NASA.

Key aspects of this new economy include:

• Orbital Platforms: Development of facilities for research, manufacturing, and other activities in low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit.
• Launch Facilities: Proliferation of launch sites, particularly in the United States.
• Satellite Manufacturing: Increased capacity for building and deploying satellites.
• Broadband Access: Providing global internet connectivity via satellite constellations.
• Emergency Response: Utilizing space-based assets for disaster relief and monitoring.
• On-Orbit Manufacturing: Producing materials and products in the unique environment of space.
• Medicine & Telemedicine: Continued advancements in remote healthcare technologies.

The speaker highlighted the dramatic increase in commercial launches, noting that commercial entities now deliver more astronauts to space than government programs, marking a significant “tipping point.” He concluded by stating that the space economy represents “the next industrial revolution,” with far-reaching implications for the workforce, education, and medicine. He emphasized that a permanent human presence in space is now assured, stating, “Never in the future of humanity will we not have a presence going forward in space.”

Notable Quote

“Everybody’s talking about AI, but what we do in low Earth orbit in geo orbit is going to really change what we do.” – Speaker, emphasizing the transformative potential of the space economy.

Synthesis

This presentation provided a compelling overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with human space exploration. It underscored the critical role of space medicine in ensuring astronaut health and safety, and highlighted the significant “spin-off” benefits of space research for life on Earth. The speaker’s personal journey and insights, combined with a forward-looking perspective on the burgeoning space economy, painted a picture of a future where space is increasingly accessible and integrated into our daily lives.