Oct. 1, 2026
POSTED IN: RICE NEWS > Current News > 2026

Rice experts available to discuss human spaceflight, safety and space policy

Leveraging Rice’s deep ties to U.S. space exploration, faculty can analyze the technical, political and physiological implications of recent developments.

Four astronauts wearing white and black SpaceX spacesuits and white helmets walk together outdoors near a vehicle, with three waving toward the side.
Four astronauts wearing white and black SpaceX spacesuits and white helmets walk together outdoors near a vehicle, with three waving toward the side.
Members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station complete a dress rehearsal prior to their scheduled launch. Photo courtesy of NASA/Joel Kowsky.

Experts from Rice University are available for commentary during a busy week in space news. Leveraging Rice’s deep ties to U.S. space exploration, faculty can analyze the technical, political and physiological implications of recent developments, including SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14, NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station, Boeing Starliner’s new mission assignments and an upcoming Falcon Heavy national defense launch.

Astronaut health and performance

Expert: John DeWitt, director of applied sports science

Expertise: Human performance in space, including:

  • Astronaut health before, during and after missions.
  • Preventing muscle and bone loss in microgravity.
  • Long-duration mission preparation, including Mars-class missions.

Human adaptation to life in space

Expert: Scott Solomon, evolutionary biologist, teaching professor of biosciences, director of the Rice Center for Science Communication and Public Engagement and author of “Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds”

Expertise: Biological and psychological effects of living in space, including:

  • Long-term changes to the human body and mind in space.
  • Impacts of space tourism and off-Earth settlement.
  • Evolutionary changes to bacteria and other microbes in space.
  • Human reproduction and development of children born beyond Earth.

Science policy, research governance and space science leadership

Expert: Kenny Evans, fellow in science, technology and innovation policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
Expertise: Science and technology policy, including:

  • Governance of the global research enterprise and U.S. science leadership.
  • The politics of scientific expertise that inform federal priorities.
  • Research security policy and implications for national space research programs.
  • The role of science policy in shaping long-term space exploration planning.

To schedule an interview with any of Rice’s experts, contact media relations specialist Jamie Groh at jamie.groh@rice.edu or national senior media relations specialist Marcy de Luna at marcy.deluna@rice.edu.