This last volume of the SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences series is setup in 5 main parts.

The 1st part shortly summarizes the history of life science research in space from the late 40s until today with focus on Europe and Germany, followed by a part on describing flight opportunities including the Space Shuttle/Spacelab system and the International Space Station ISS; in the 3rd part it focuses on extraordinary success stories of this constantly challenging research program and highlights some important key findings in space life science research. The book introduces in the 4th part innovative developments in non-invasive biomedical diagnostics and training methods for astronauts that emerge from this program and are of benefit for people on Earth especially in the aging society. Last but not least in its 5th part it closes with an outlook on the future of space life sciences in the upcoming era of space exploration.

The book is intended for students and research scientists in the life sciences and biomedicine as well as for interested lay persons, who wish to get an overview of space life science research: its early days, current status and future directions.

Günter Ruyters is the former Head of Germanys Space Life Sciences Program at the German Space Administration, German Aerospace Center DLR and served as Germanys delegate of the Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration Program Board of the European Space Agency ESA. He was also appointed professor at the Faculty of Biology, University of Bielefeld.

Katrin Maria Stang is Parabolic Flight Program Manager and Coordinator for the Human Research Program at the Department of Research and Exploration at the German Space Agency, German Aerospace Center (DLR). Her responsibilities include management of experiment hardware development for the International Space Station and coordination of the utilization of ground analogues for human physiology projects.