The study of biological and medical effects of space flight on living organisms.

The framework used to identify and assess the human systems risks associated with space flight missions and the prioritized research and technology questions required for delivering risk reduction solutions.

The relationship between interdependent risks, where one risk causes the occurrence of another.

A process for maintaining the content of, in this case, the Roadmap, by a group of experts who have the authority to review and approve changes to the content of the document, and its companion Web site (http://bioastroroadmap.nasa.gov.)

Characterized by requiring careful evaluation or alignment with other tasks because of occurrence at a particularly important juncture (not meant to imply a "showstopper" connotation).

The path of interdependent tasks or activities in a project that determine the overall time to complete the project.

A project management technique that identifies the shortest possible sequence of interdependent tasks/activities in a project having the longest overall duration, determining the shortest possible path to complete the project.

Specific products (including knowledge that leads to medical policy and standards) identified as desirable risk reduction solutions to the research and technology questions for the human system risks.

The 15 groups of experts representing Human Health and Sytem/Performance Efficiency disciplines (bone, muscle, immunology, cardiovascular, sensory motor function, behavior and  performance, radiation, environmental, nutrition, clinical capabilities, advanced life support, advanced environmental monitoring, advanced EVA, space human factors,  advanced food technology).

Providing the means, knowledge, or opportunity to make possible.

Exposure limits are based on the impact the decrement or exposure has on the capability to perform assigned tasks, and its implication for lifetime medical status. Exposure limits are used for the human health risks and refer to setting an acceptable maximum decrement or change in a physiological or behavioral parameter, as the result of exposure to space flight factors over a given length of time (e.g. life time radiation exposure).

Fitness for duty criteria provide a measure of the crewmember's ability to perform a mission-related task or return to duty status. Examples include criteria for determining cardiovascular fitness for EVA, sensory motor functioning for vehicle egress or behavioral functioning for readiness to perform specific mission tasks.

The crewmembers, both individually and collectively, and their requirements for physical and psychological health and well-being to maximize efficiency and productivity, and the capabilities to accomplish mission goals in nominal and emergency situations.

A type of deliverable from Bioastronautics research that results from an increased understanding of a risk, its estimation, causal mechanisms, and uncertainties; resulting in, and informing, the development of medical policies and human standards.

The accepted level of performance for physiological, behavioral, and performance-related functions used to set exposure-based limits for the human system, fitness-for-duty criteria, and operating bands.

Operating bands represent an acceptable range of performance or functioning that is bounded at both the upper and lower limits; anything outside those limits is unacceptable. Operating bands are used in the Roadmap for the system performance and efficiency risks associated with life support and habitation systems.

Critical activity that will result in the delay of the project if not completed.

A statement, or specification, of the condition that must be met through design, procedures, or other means.

Research and technology questions associated with the reduction of the Roadmap risks through risk mitigation solutions (including improved efficiency, performance, and knowledge that informs crew medical policies and standards).

The conditional probability of an adverse event occurring from exposure to the spaceflight environment.

The scientific analysis and characterization of adverse effects on environmental hazards; it may include quantitative or qualitative descriptors, but often excludes analysis of perceived risks, risk comparisons, and analysis of effects of decisions (NRC, 1996).

A predisposing condition that contributes to an adverse outcome.

The systematic application of management policies, procedures, and practices to the tasks of identification and assessment of human system risks for exploration missions and the development,  selection, monitoring, and implementation of risk mitigation solutions for the human system for exploration missions.

A detailed plan to guide progress toward a goal.

Gradually maturing capability or technology that repeats a particular development cycle as it matures.

Standards for the human system are represented by exposure limits, fitness for duty criteria, or operating bands. Standards for crew health and performance are established by the Chief Health and Medical Officer of NASA; mission requirements are influenced and driven by such standards.