7. Space as an Extreme Environment—Galactic Adventures: Exploring the Limits of Human Mind and Body, One Planet at a Time

Centuries of human evolution have led to the realization that “the Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena,” just like the human body continues to be an undiscovered reservoir of limits and possibilities. Over the years, terrestrial medicine has focused on diagnosis and treatment of various medical contingencies, and understanding the mechanisms and triggers of pathogenetic processes. However, it was not until the beginning of human space exploration that humankind was able to shed a light on the specifics of biological processes and the interplay of environmental, psychological and physiological factors. It enabled scientists and researchers to redefine the concept of health and what it truly meant in various terrestrial habitats and in the lower earth orbit. The beginning of space exploration has led to revolutionary discoveries about how the human body functions under the gravitational forces or lack thereof. This chapter will bring the reader on a journey of the brief history of space exploration. It will provide an overview of the effects of the spaceflight environment on human health and wellness, while discovering the incredible abilities of biological systems to adapt to and thrive under various extreme environmental conditions. This chapter will conclude with an overview of health monitoring in space and its various terrestrial applications.