NASA’s Office of Biological and Physical Research
\nselected 17 scientists to receive grants to conduct research
\nin advanced human support technologies. <\/p>\n
\nThese technologies could have a significant impact on the
\nability of humans to safely conduct long-duration space flight
\nmissions, improve environmental technologies, and may also
\nimprove quality of life on Earth. <\/p>\n
\nGrants are awarded for one to three year efforts and are
\nworth up to $8.8 million over three years. Research under
\nthese grants will enhance safe human space flight in both
\nthe near-Earth orbit, where the International Space Station
\noperates, and in exploration of the solar system beyond
\nEarth orbit. <\/p>\n
\nSix of the grants are for new technologies in advanced
\nenvironmental monitoring of space habitats. One grant
\naddresses a strategy for advanced control systems. Two
\nprojects address advanced food technologies. Two projects
\nfocus on advanced technologies for extravehicular activity.
\nSix others address novel approaches to waste processing,
\nincluding air revitalization, water recycling, thermal
\ncontrol, and treatment of solid wastes.<\/p>\n
\nNASA received 113 proposals in response to the research
\nsolicitation released in March 2002. The proposals were
\npeer-reviewed by scientific and technical experts from
\nacademia, government, and industry. In addition to technical
\nand scientific merit, relevancy to NASA programs and
\nfeasibility of implementation were also selection criteria.<\/p>\n