NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 Mission and Expert Insights from Rice University
Members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station complete a dress rehearsal prior to their scheduled launch. Photo courtesy of NASA/Joel Kowsky.
Experts from Rice University are available for commentary during a busy week in space news, covering insights on recent developments including:
- SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14
- NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the ISS
- Boeing Starliner’s new mission assignments
- An upcoming Falcon Heavy national defense launch
Astronaut Health and Performance
Expert: John DeWitt
Position: Director of Applied Sports Science
Expertise: Human performance in space, including:
- Astronaut health before, during, and after missions.
- Preventing muscle and bone loss in microgravity.
- Preparation for long-duration missions, including Mars-class missions.
Human Adaptation to Life in Space
Expert: Scott Solomon
Position: Teaching Professor of Biosciences and Director of the Rice Center for Science Communication and Public Engagement
Expertise: Biological and psychological effects of living in space, including:
- Long-term changes to the human body and mind.
- Impacts of space tourism and off-Earth settlement.
- Evolutionary changes to bacteria and other microbes.
- Human reproduction and development of children born beyond Earth.
Science Policy and Space Science Leadership
Expert: Kenny Evans
Position: Fellow in Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
Expertise: Science and technology policy, including:
- Governance of the global research enterprise and U.S. science leadership.
- The politics of scientific expertise that inform federal priorities.
- Research security policies and implications for national space programs.
- The role of science policy in long-term space exploration planning.
Contact for Interviews
To schedule an interview with any of Rice’s experts, contact:
- Jamie Groh, Media Relations Specialist: jamie.groh@rice.edu
- Marcy de Luna, National Senior Media Relations Specialist: marcy.deluna@rice.edu
