Darren Miguel
ESS 102
April 15, 2016
Research Paper: Effects of Long Term Space Flight Space travel has always been a fascinating subject in human history. What would it be like if we could travel to another solar system or even another galaxy? The things we could learn and experience would be astronomical. But, before we can dream of getting to that point of scientific discovery, astronauts have to face a number of physical and mental challenges are brought about during long-term space missions. Living in space for extended periods of time bring about consequences on the human body including: loss of bone density, muscle atrophy, radiation, effects on the cardiovascular system, loss of balance, and shifts in sleep cycle. Scientists and other research organizations like the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) have been working on solving these problems. These works seek to improve astronauts’ lifestyles in space and reducing physical strain due the topics listed above. …show more content…
Among the many consequences is loss in bone density, particularly in the lower body. Astronauts in their spacecraft are unable to walk around to get from an area to another. Instead, they float around pushing and pulling themselves using their upper body. Their legs and hips are not bearing as much weight as they used to on Earth. Over time, the bones release calcium and break down causing a significant decrease in their bone density (http://nsbri.org/the-body-in-space/). Zero gravity can also affect the spine. On earth, the force of gravity compresses the disks of the human vertebrae. In space, these disks are relieved of that pressure, which can lead to astronauts being slightly taller in
ESS 102
April 15, 2016
Research Paper: Effects of Long Term Space Flight Space travel has always been a fascinating subject in human history. What would it be like if we could travel to another solar system or even another galaxy? The things we could learn and experience would be astronomical. But, before we can dream of getting to that point of scientific discovery, astronauts have to face a number of physical and mental challenges are brought about during long-term space missions. Living in space for extended periods of time bring about consequences on the human body including: loss of bone density, muscle atrophy, radiation, effects on the cardiovascular system, loss of balance, and shifts in sleep cycle. Scientists and other research organizations like the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) have been working on solving these problems. These works seek to improve astronauts’ lifestyles in space and reducing physical strain due the topics listed above. …show more content…
Among the many consequences is loss in bone density, particularly in the lower body. Astronauts in their spacecraft are unable to walk around to get from an area to another. Instead, they float around pushing and pulling themselves using their upper body. Their legs and hips are not bearing as much weight as they used to on Earth. Over time, the bones release calcium and break down causing a significant decrease in their bone density (http://nsbri.org/the-body-in-space/). Zero gravity can also affect the spine. On earth, the force of gravity compresses the disks of the human vertebrae. In space, these disks are relieved of that pressure, which can lead to astronauts being slightly taller in