Preface to the Series
The extraordinary conditions in space, especially microgravity, are utilized today
not only for research in the physical and materials sciences—they especially provide a unique tool for research in various areas of the life sciences. The major goal
of this research is to uncover the role of gravity with regard to the origin, evolution,
and future of life, and to the development and orientation of organisms from single
cells and protists up to humans. This research only became possible with the advent
of manned spaceflight some 50 years ago. With the first experiment having been
conducted onboard Apollo 16, the German Space Life Sciences Program celebrated
its 40th anniversary in 2012—a fitting occasion for Springer and the DLR (German
Aerospace Center) to take stock of the space life sciences achievements made so far.
The DLR is the Federal Republic of Germany’s National Aeronautics and Space
Research Center. Its extensive research and development activities in aeronautics,
space, energy, transport, and security are integrated into national and international
cooperative ventures. In addition to its own research, as Germany’s space agency
the DLR has been charged by the federal government with the task of planning and
implementing the German space program. Within the current space program,
approved by the German government in November 2010, the overall goal for the
life sciences section is to gain scientific knowledge and to reveal new application potentials by means of research under space conditions, especially by utilizing the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS).
With regard to the program’s implementation, the DLR Space Administration
provides the infrastructure and flight opportunities required, contracts the German
space industry for the development of innovative research facilities, and provides
the necessary research funding for the scientific teams at universities and other
research institutes. While so-called small flight opportunities like the drop tower in
Bremen, sounding rockets, and parabolic airplane flights are made available within
the national program, research on the ISS is implemented in the framework of
Germany’s participation in the ESA Microgravity Program or through bilateral
cooperations with other space agencies. Free flyers such as BION or FOTON satellites are used in cooperation with Russia. The recently started utilization of Chinese
vii
The extraordinary conditions in space, especially microgravity, are utilized today
not only for research in the physical and materials sciences—they especially provide a unique tool for research in various areas of the life sciences. The major goal
of this research is to uncover the role of gravity with regard to the origin, evolution,
and future of life, and to the development and orientation of organisms from single
cells and protists up to humans. This research only became possible with the advent
of manned spaceflight some 50 years ago. With the first experiment having been
conducted onboard Apollo 16, the German Space Life Sciences Program celebrated
its 40th anniversary in 2012—a fitting occasion for Springer and the DLR (German
Aerospace Center) to take stock of the space life sciences achievements made so far.
The DLR is the Federal Republic of Germany’s National Aeronautics and Space
Research Center. Its extensive research and development activities in aeronautics,
space, energy, transport, and security are integrated into national and international
cooperative ventures. In addition to its own research, as Germany’s space agency
the DLR has been charged by the federal government with the task of planning and
implementing the German space program. Within the current space program,
approved by the German government in November 2010, the overall goal for the
life sciences section is to gain scientific knowledge and to reveal new application potentials by means of research under space conditions, especially by utilizing the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS).
With regard to the program’s implementation, the DLR Space Administration
provides the infrastructure and flight opportunities required, contracts the German
space industry for the development of innovative research facilities, and provides
the necessary research funding for the scientific teams at universities and other
research institutes. While so-called small flight opportunities like the drop tower in
Bremen, sounding rockets, and parabolic airplane flights are made available within
the national program, research on the ISS is implemented in the framework of
Germany’s participation in the ESA Microgravity Program or through bilateral
cooperations with other space agencies. Free flyers such as BION or FOTON satellites are used in cooperation with Russia. The recently started utilization of Chinese
vii