Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] ARO HEA MTC BIO
[SU] SVY EXE
-- WITH PHOTO -- TO HEALTH, MEDICAL, AND SCIENCE EDITORS:
NASA Selects 10 Proposals for Unprecedented Twin Astronaut Study
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Only one set of
twins has ever been into space, and now those twins are providing an
unprecedented opportunity for scientists to understand better the
effects of microgravity on the human body.
NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) will fund 10 short-term,
first-of-its-kind investigations into the molecular, physiological and
psychological effects of spaceflight in a continuous effort to reduce
the health impacts of human space exploration. The National Space
Biomedical Research Institute is partnering with HRP to provide
genetic counseling and assisting in the management of the research.
This unique opportunity is made possible by NASA's decision to fly
veteran astronaut Scott Kelly aboard the International Space Station
for one year, beginning March 2015, while his identical twin brother,
retired astronaut Mark Kelly, remains on Earth.
This study will focus in part on the comparison of blood samples
collected from Scott and Mark at regular intervals before, during and
after the one-year mission. Physiological and psychological testing
also will be conducted on the brothers before, during and after the
mission.
Scientific and technical experts from academia and government reviewed
40 proposals submitted in response to the research announcement "Human
Exploration Research Opportunities - Differential Effects on
Homozygous Twin Astronauts Associated with Differences in Exposure to
Spaceflight Factors." The 10 selected proposals, which are from 10
institutions in seven states, will receive a combined $1.5 million
during a three-year period.
HRP regularly assesses crew health and performance during spaceflight
to evaluate associated risks. From these assessments, HRP develops
strategies to monitor and mitigate these risks. These studies often
have the considerable added benefit of advancing health care for
people on Earth.
For a complete list of the selected proposals, principal investigators
and organizations, visit:
For information about NASA's Human Research Program, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/humanresearch/
For information on the National Space Biomedical Research Institute,
visit:
For information about the International Space Station, its crews and
research, visit:
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO
SOURCE NASA
-0- 03/07/2014
/CONTACT: Joshua Buck, Headquarters, Washington, 202-358-1100, jbuck@nasa.gov; William Jeffs, Johnson Space Center, Houston, 281-483-5111, william.p.jeffs@nasa.gov
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.nasa.gov
CO: NASA
ST: District of Columbia New Jersey
IN: ARO HEA MTC BIO
SU: SVY EXE
PRN
-- DC79313 --
0000 03/07/2014 19:24:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
