{"product_id":"life-in-space-nasa-life-sciences-research-during-the-late-twentieth-century-9781683402602","title":"Life in Space: NASA Life Sciences Research During the Late Twentieth Century","description":"\u003cb\u003eA little-known yet critical part of\u003cbr\u003eNASA history\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eLife in Space\u003c\/i\u003e explores the many aspects and\u003cbr\u003eoutcomes of NASA's research in life sciences, a little-understood endeavor that\u003cbr\u003ehas often been overlooked in histories of the space agency. Maura Mackowski\u003cbr\u003edetails NASA's work in this field from spectacular promises made during the\u003cbr\u003eReagan era to the major new directions set by George W. Bush's Vision for Space\u003cbr\u003eExploration in the early twenty-first century. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAt the\u003cbr\u003efirst flight of NASA's space shuttle in 1981, hopes ran high for the shuttle\u003cbr\u003eprogram to achieve its potential of regularly transporting humans, cargo, and\u003cbr\u003escientific experiments between Earth and the International Space Station.\u003cbr\u003eMackowski describes different programs, projects, and policies initiated across\u003cbr\u003eNASA centers and headquarters in the following decades to advance research into\u003cbr\u003ehuman safety and habitation, plant and animal biology, and commercial\u003cbr\u003ebiomaterials. Mackowski illuminates these ventures in fascinating detail by\u003cbr\u003edrawing on rare archival sources, oral histories, interviews, and site visits. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhile\u003cbr\u003ehighlighting significant achievements and innovations such as space radiation\u003cbr\u003eresearch and the Neurolab Spacelab Mission, Mackowski reveals frustrations--lost\u003cbr\u003eopportunities, stagnation, and dead ends--stemming from frequent changes in\u003cbr\u003epresidential administrations and policies. For today's dreams of lunar outposts\u003cbr\u003eor long-term spaceflight to become reality, Mackowski argues, a robust program\u003cbr\u003ein space life sciences is essential, and the history in this book offers\u003cbr\u003elessons to help prevent leaving more expectations unfulfilled.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMackowski, Maura Phillips:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003eMaura Phillips Mackowski\u003c\/strong\u003e, a research historian based in Arizona, is the author of \u003cem\u003eTesting the Limits: Aviation Medicine and the Origins of Manned Space Flight.\u003c\/em\u003e","brand":"University of Florida Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50485624635666,"sku":"9781683402602","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_048fa981-622b-4281-9d25-5526adbb76b0.jpg?v=1730407968","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/life-in-space-nasa-life-sciences-research-during-the-late-twentieth-century-9781683402602","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}