'Back to moon, on to Mars' becomes space medicine's 1990s rallying cry

Abstract

THE FINAL DECADE of the 20th century and the first quarter of the 21st century are likely to be critical for the United States' space program and its medical aspects. To maintain US preeminence in space research, the 1988 national space policy of (then) President Reagan reaffirmed the need for initiatives such as a permanently staffed space station. Now, at the request of President Bush, the National Space Council (which is headed by Vice President Quayle) is pondering a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) study that calls for such a space station in the 1990s as the first step in a multiphase effort that has important implications for space medicine. This late 20th century space station would be followed by a return—this time for much longer stays—to the moon by humans early in the 21st century. After that would come the long-discussed manned mission to Mars. In accordance with