Biology

Biology is the science of life. It spans multiple levels from biomolecules and cells (shown) to organisms and populations.

In the aerospace context, biology refers to the study of living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environment. This field is becoming increasingly important as space agencies, such as NASA, plan for longer duration manned missions to the moon and eventually to Mars.

Examples of how biology is used in the aerospace context include:

• Life support systems: These systems are used to sustain human life during spaceflight by providing the necessary conditions such as air, water, and food.
• Radiation protection: The exposure to cosmic radiation is a major concern for the health of astronauts during long-duration spaceflight. Understanding the effects of radiation on human biology and developing methods to protect against it is crucial.
• Plant growth experiments: Plants are also studied in space to understand their growth patterns, photosynthesis and other metabolic processes in microgravity and other space environments.
• Biomedical research: In space, changes occur in human physiology, physiology and body physiology. Such changes can be studied in microgravity and other space environments to understand the physiological and psychological effects of spaceflight on the human body.

Additionally, the study of microorganisms and how they adapt to space environments can also provide insights into the potential for life on other planets and moons, and the potential for life support systems that could be used during space exploration and colonization.