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Grand Visions for Life and Living in Space. ¹D.E.Jennings, ²R.E.Turner, and ¹R.A.Cassanova. ¹NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts, 75 5^th Street NW, Suite 318, Atlanta, GA 30308;²ANSER Analytic Services, Inc., 2900 South Quincy Street, Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22206.

   The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) has, since 1998, sought exciting proposals that address grand visions for future possibilities in aerospace, including that of a self-sustaining human presence throughout the solar system. This presentation will briefly describe the NIAC and survey recent NIAC-funded studies that engage life scientists and interdisciplinary collaborators in defining our future possibilities

   Some NIAC-funded investigations exploit biological mechanisms as tools to meet aerospace challenges. For example, researchers have examined the feasibility of employing biological molecules such as proteins and ion channels in the development of sensor networks for exploration and radiation protection. Others presently examine the use of mechanosensitive proteins for power production.

   This presentation will also survey NIAC-funded projects that look at ways to create environments hospitable to life. Sometimes this requires the modification of life forms, such as plants; sometimes this requires the selection of organisms that might tolerate harsh conditions, such as extremophiles.

   Finally, we will briefly survey projects that “bring home with us”, including habitat construction and life support.

(Supported by  NASA: NAS5-03110 to the Universities Space Research Association)