UND Space Studies to host presentation on Human Flyby Mission to Mars

Document Type

News Article

Publication Date

1-31-2014

Campus Unit

John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences

Abstract

Second in colloquium series features NASA life scientist and UND Space Studies alum Jon Rask

The University of North Dakota's Department of Space Studies continues its spring 2014 Colloquium Series with a presenation by Jon Rask, life scientist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Ames Research Center Space Biosciences Division.

The presentation is part of this semester's series focusing on the Human Flyby Mission to Mars. It will take place at 4 p.m., Monday, Feb. 3, in Ryan Hall, Room 111.

The presentation is titled "Artificial Gravity as a Human Health Countermeasure for Long-Duration Spaceflight."

It will highlight results from recent human experiments at the Ames Research Center that investigated the effect of artificial gravity on the cardiovascular system. Experiences of being an artificial gravity test subject will also be shared.

Rask focuses on human health effects of space flight and the exploration of the Moon and Mars. He has investigated the toxicity, reactivity and abrasiveness of Apollo lunar dust specimens, and he has developed novel brick-like regolith bio-composite technologies made from lunar dust simulants.

Rask also has developed and tested life science hardware and experiments that flew aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. He has performed experiments aboard the NASA C9B parabolic aircraft, been a test subject in hyper gravity experiments aboard the centrifuge facilities at NASA Ames, and has conducted field astrobiology research in desert and polar regions.

Rask recently served as a principal investigator for the NASA Ames Space Life Sciences Training Program in Artificial Gravity.

Colloquium presentations will be available at the space.edu colloquium website after the live event.

Share

COinS