SpaceX's anticipated IPO has raised interest in their goal of establishing a Mars colony. Experts from Rice University are available to provide insights into the health and space travel-related concerns around traveling to and settling Mars.
Human biology, psychology and living beyond Earth
Scott Solomon, evolutionary biologist, teaching professor of biosciences and author of “Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds”
Solomon can speak to the many unknowns regarding human biology on Mars, including:
- The differences between low Earth orbit and deep space environments (radiation, gravity)
- The challenges of living on the moon (with one-sixth of Earth’s gravity) and Mars (with one-third of Earth’s gravity)
- Issues related to food production, radiation exposure and psychological strain.
- Long-term implications, including human reproduction in space and potential evolutionary changes.
- Current plans for health exploration and settlement
Kelly Weinersmith, adjunct professor in biosciences and co-author of “A City on Mars”
Weinersmith can speak to human health and psychology in space, including:
- Human psychology in space
- Psychology in isolated and confined environments
- The challenges of living in space and on Mars
- Human reproduction in space
- Space law
Astronaut health, performance and recovery
John DeWitt, director of applied sports science
A former NASA scientist conducting ongoing research aboard the International Space Station, DeWitt specializes in how the human body performs before, during and after missions. His focus includes:
- Muscle and bone loss in reduced gravity environments.
- Astronaut training for long-duration missions, particularly those aimed at Mars.
- Strategies for maintaining astronaut health during extended lunar and deep space missions.
- Astronaut reconditioning when they arrive back to Earth or in a gravity environment such as the moon or Mars.
- Risks and countermeasures to reduce physiological losses during spaceflight.
Space weather, solar risks and mission safety
Patricia Reiff, professor of physics and astronomy and associate director of outreach programs at the Rice Space Institute
Reiff brings decades of experience from various NASA missions, including Apollo, IMAGE, Cluster and MMS, and her expertise is crucial as Artemis missions venture deeper into space during periods of solar maximum. She addresses:
- The risks posed by solar flares, radiation storms and cosmic rays during deep space missions.
- Insights on predicting space weather to protect astronauts and spacecraft.
- How real-time solar wind monitoring can enhance mission safety.
- The potential impact of increased solar activity on upcoming Artemis missions and lunar operations.
To schedule an interview with any of Rice’s experts, contact media relations specialists Marcy de Luna at marcy.deluna@rice.edu and Rachel Leeson at rachel.leeson@rice.edu.