New Mars Forums

Smith explained that the presentations describe techniques that enable dentists to coax existing teeth into repairing and regenerating themselves, and techniques where dentists can "start from scratch."

Clearly, techniques that involve adding new tissue to already-existing teeth are "probably a bit closer on the horizon," perhaps within a "handful of years," Smith predicted. Techniques that grow teeth from scratch will likely take at least another 10 years to perfect, he added.

In some instances, researchers are trying to reprogram cells in the mouth to behave like tooth-growing cells, convincing them they have to produce new teeth, Smith explained.

Other techniques being explored involve using stem cells, which have the potential to become any type of cell or tissue. In one study being presented at the meeting, researchers successfully extracted stem cells from the pulp of adult teeth, Smith said. The next step is to examine whether it's possible to use these teeth to regenerate new dental tissue, he said.

I wonder why Japan wants to spend so much money, It certainly indicates plans greater than just to build a lunar base. And so what could it be......Mineral Mining :? 

So if we eat all the food and have no new seeds to plant; farming whether in 0g, on the moon, or on mars will matter little. What research has been done on the pollination systems for these conditions is the next step, it would appear.

Old Martian saying, "Politicans worry about the words on paper, Martians worry about the dust in the hab."

Exploration Spiral 1 (Crew Transportation System Earth Orbit Mission) – Encompasses the capabilities necessary to insert humans into Earth orbit and return them safely to Earth, employing a post-Space Shuttle flight system.  A programmatic constraint has been imposed on Spiral 1:  ”NASA shall conduct the initial test flight for the Crew Exploration Vehicle before the end of the decade in order to provide an operational capability to support human exploration missions no later than 2014”.  The flight elements of the Exploration Spiral 1 Crew Transportation System are the Crew Exploration Vehicle and Crew Launch Vehicle.  Robotic Precursor Missions that are scheduled to launch prior to the Earth orbit demonstration of the Spiral 1 CTS are considered Exploration Spiral 1 missions.

Exploration Spiral 2 (Extended-Duration Lunar Campaign) – Encompasses the capabilities necessary to execute extended-duration human lunar exploration. Extended duration lunar missions will be 4-14 days in duration on the lunar surface, and do not require pre-deployed surface systems (e.g., Habitation Module or Surface Power).  A programmatic constraint has been imposed on Spiral 2:  “NASA shall conduct the first extended human expedition to the lunar surface as early as 2015, but no later than the year 2020, in preparation for human exploration of Mars and other destinations”.  Robotic Precursor Missions scheduled to launch after the Spiral 1 CTS flight demonstration, and prior to the first Spiral 3 Lunar mission are considered Exploration Spiral 2 missions.

Exploration Spiral 3 (Long-Duration Lunar Campaign) – Encompasses the capabilities necessary to execute a long-duration human lunar exploration campaign.  This campaign requires development of extensive surface systems (e.g., habitation and surface power system), and long-duration lunar-vicinity parking capability of the crew transportation system.  Long-duration lunar missions will extend from 14-98 days.  Robotic Precursor Missions that are scheduled to launch after the last Spiral 2 extended- duration lunar mission, and prior to the initial Exploration Spiral 4 mission are considered Exploration Spiral 3 missions.

Exploration Spiral 4 (Crew Transportation System Mars Flyby) – Encompasses the capabilities to conduct a Mars flyby mission using elements of the Human-Mars Crew Transportation System.  Upon completion of successful Mars flyby(s), Exploration Spiral 5 will commence.  Robotic Precursor Missions scheduled to launch prior to the first Human-Martian surface mission are considered Spiral 4 missions.

Exploration Spiral 5 (Human Mars Surface Campaign) – Spiral 5 encompasses the capabilities necessary to execute human Mars exploration missions. Robotic Precursor Missions scheduled to launch after the final Mars flyby mission, and prior to the start of Exploration Spiral 6 (TBD content) are considered Spiral 5 missions.