The study of human sexological factors in relation to long-duration spaceflight has yet to be studied by NASA. Nevertheless, research related to this subject has been conducted by NASA scientists and others. Much of this research originated in Houston, Texas, the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, which is the center for the U.S. Space Shuttle and Space Station programs and a center for the study of the life sciences in the American space program. This symposium will bring together for the first time at a conference of sexologists, experts-most of whom have contributed to the U.S. space program-who will present and discuss some of the more significant research that will have an impact on the women and men who will someday live and work in space.
Suzanne M. Fortney, Ph.D.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Johnson Space Center, Houston
There is surprisingly little data describing women’s responses to spaceflight. Areas of special interest include the following: Women, especially at reproductive age, are thought to be particularly susceptible to radiation injury. Thus, annual and career exposure limits are lower than those for men. Another area of vital concern is whether women are more susceptible to bone fractures or osteoporosis because of bone loss during flight. Orthostatic intolerance is an important concern following spaceflight. Although there are no gender differences in orthostatic tolerance of ambulatory subjects, following bedrest women may have a greater impairment of orthostatic tolerance. This, together with a lower aerobic capacity and muscle strength, may compromise their ability to perform an emergency egress. Finally, women may be more susceptible to decompression illness. These and other examples of gender differences to be discussed in this presentation should be considered when selecting and monitoring female astronauts during long-duration space station missions.
Patricia A. Santy, M.D., M.S.
Center for Aerospace Medicine & Physiology
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Long-duration spaceflight and eventual colonization of the solar system will require successful control of reproductive function and a thorough understanding of factors unique to spaceflight and their impact on gynecologic and obstetric parameters. The ability of humans to live, work, and reproduce in space is essential for long-term survival. This paper will discuss animal and human studies done in space or analog environments which have relevance to reproductive functioning. These studies lead directly to key areas-among them microgravity, radiation, and toxicological exposure-which may interfere with human reproductive physiology and/or embryonic development. Each of these key areas will be reviewed, and its impact on human reproductive physiology discussed. Currently, human pregnancy is contraindicated for spaceflight. However, the need to identify the key physiological problems in human reproduction and to develop effective countermeasures to the hazards of space and planetary environments is essential for the successful human colonization of space.
Sheryl L. Bishop, Ph.D.
Preventive, Occupational and Environmental Medicine
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Historically, the selection of astronauts for the U.S. space program evolved from the experience and research of male test pilots from within the various military branches. The resistance to including women was justified by citing concerns about the impact of microgravity and radiation on reproductive systems, doubts about women’s ability to handle the physiological and psychological stresses of spaceflight, the propriety of mixed crews, privacy/modesty concerns, and, of course, the highly volatile issue of sex in space. Research examining differential gender effects in space has sporadically and, in most cases, only very recently begun. But some of the findings are challenging ingrained assumptions of superior male adaptation to the stresses and rigors of spaceflight and microgravity. In particular, there is a growing body of evidence from analog environments which suggests that mixed-gender crews are highly preferable to the traditional all-male crew. An overview of this evidence will be presented and discussed.
Raymond J. Noonan, M.A.
Doctoral Candidate, Human Sexuality Program, New York University
Adjunct Instructor, Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY)
Director, SexQuest/The Sex Institute, NYC
Sexological factors that will be important as human beings spend longer periods of time in space include both biomedical and psychosocial factors. In addition, the impact that cultural differences will have on the international space station, where men and women from different countries will be conducting operations for extended time periods needs to be considered. Upon how we address these issues—and the potentially beneficial and detrimental results that can occur—will depend the success of future space missions. However, the study of sexuality in a space context—as much as in other spheres of scientific inquiry—is as much centered within a political discourse as it is within the biomedical and psychosocial spheres. How does this affect research and policy in the realm of space, and how might sexologists contribute to these efforts? Also, what can sexologists learn from their scientific colleagues investigating the roles of sex and gender in space?
Raymond J. Noonan, M.A.
Doctoral Candidate, Human Sexuality Program, New York University
Adjunct Instructor, Fashion Institute of Technology (SUNY)
Director, SexQuest/The Sex Institute, NYC
Patti O. Britton, Ph.D.
Clinical Sexologist
Private Practice, NYC
Michael Ra Bouchard, M.A., Ph.D.
Clinical Sexologist
Private Practice, NYC
The American social landscape is in metamorphosis. Among the factors influencing this change, it is estimated that by the year 2000 the number of World Wide Web sites will expand from its current 3 million to 32 million. As social norms shift, more consumers are turning to new “information age” technologies for their educational, social, and therapeutic needs to resolve sexual conflicts and concerns. In this presentation, three cyberplayers (one a Webmaster with experience providing sexual content) will share their expertise—from on-line delivery of services to the mass market, including didactic individual or group education, product reviews, “edu-tainment,” and direct one-on-one therapeutic intervention with clients. From their unique experiences, each will offer insights into emerging trends in this innovative form of breaking technology and cutting-edge sexology. Finally, each will present implications for sexual well-being within this new consumer cohort. Interactive visits to sexuality-oriented Web sites will be included.
[Return to SexQuest/The Sex Institute Home Page]
Volume 4 of the International Encyclopedia of Sexuality (IES4), including 17 new countries and places, Robert T. Francoeur, Ph.D., Editor, and Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D., Associate Editor, published in May 2001 by Continuum International Publishing Group: Includes my chapter on “Outer Space,” which highlights cross-cultural sexuality issues that will have an impact on the human future in space, based partly on my dissertation. For the table of contents or more information, see the IES4 Web site: http://www.SexQuest.com/IES4/, including supplemental chapters available only on the Web. Order from amazon.com!
The latest on positive sexuality from the first book to address the issue: For anyone concerned about the increasingly negative ways in which sex is being portrayed in public life—and who wants to do something positive about it.
Now out of print, but available soon in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format! However, used copies might be available at amazon.com.
Contact Info:
Raymond J. Noonan, Ph.D.
First published on the Web on September 9, 1996Optimized for screen resolution 800 x 600
Web Site Design and Administration Services by ParaGraphic Artists, NYC
http://www.bway.net/~rjnoonan/ssssconf96.html
