NASA explores various areas of concern through research. Microbes, robots, radiation, navigation, and self-diagnosis and repair are present subjects of study. A lot of research has been done on radiation for planned future human missions will be beyond the protection of the Van Allan radiation belts. Earths radiation shield directs most cosmic radiation towards the poles. Above the belts (400 – 36,000 miles high) cosmic radiation is deadly.

There are presently a number of options for shielding. Navigation ability and accuracy is vital as small errors can lead to disaster. Containing microbes on first missions is vitally important to science. Finding present or previous life anywhere in space that is based on the same genetic code as all life on Earth would indicate contamination – or not. We could never be sure. Robots and self-diagnosis and repair have been under development domestically for several years. Think of your electric kitchen appliance that can be remotely diagnosed and repaired through software updates or fixes. Robotic mechanics will be a necessary addition to extended presence in space. In fact, intelligent robots will be the facilitators of any human life off planet.