Humans and space When faced with the issue of space exploration, one
generally has an idea of the ?elds of study and disciplines that are
involved: technology, physics and chemistry, robotics, astronomy and
planetary science, space biology and medicine, disciplines which are
usually referred to as the ?sciences?. In recent discussions, the human
element of space exploration has attracted more and more the interest of
the space sciences. As a consequence, adjacent disciplines have gained
in relevance in space exploration and space research, in times when
human space ?ights are almost part of everyday life. These disciplines
include psychology and sociology, but also history, philosophy,
anthropology, cultural studies, political sciences and law. The cont-
bution of knowledge in these ?elds plays an important role in achieving
the next generation of space exploration, where humans will resume
exploring the Moon and, eventually, Mars, and wherespacetourism
isbeginningtobedeveloped. With regard to technology, one might soon be
prepared for this. Much less is this the case with space exploration by
humans, rather than by robots. Robotic explorations to other planets
across the solar system have developed in the past 50 years, since the
beginning of the ?space age? with the presence of humans in nearby space
and the landing on the Moon. Space exploration is now not only focused
on technological achievements, asitsdevelopmentalsohassocial,
culturalandeconomicimpacts. This makes human space exploration a topic
to address in a cross-disciplinary mann
