The present project is intended to examine space travel and the effects to the general population, the environment, and the astronauts working and living in space. The following report will provide a background and history of space travel, human and environmental effects of space travel, occupational hazards, a literature review, and a proposed study design to further knowledge in occupational hazards of working and living in space. The information collected, reviewed, and analyzed will provide more insight into space travel and how astronauts can be safer when traveling, living, and working in space.
History and effects of space travel to humans
History
To explore the occupational and environmental effects of working and living in space, the …show more content…
First, astronauts are constantly in microgravity, which poses a risk to their health through decreased BMI, bone loss of up to 1.5% per month8, and potentially to their overall health status.6 The microgravity does not present “normal” gravity to the bones and muscles, which may lead to wasting if resistance exercise is not implemented.7 Next, the circadian rhythm is the human’s internal system for sleep, which can be severely altered due to the 16 sunrise and sunsets, because light is the main stimulus for the circadian rhythm.6 The alteration in the circadian rhythm may cause sleep deprivation, mood alteration, decreased work performance, or increased sleeping aide usage. Lastly, astronauts may experience a high stress load, because they are living in confinement and isolation, have “fear” of debris or solar flares, and have no family or friends aboard the space missions.6 Overall, working and living in space increases the risks for many health conditions or alterations to health, but the environmental impacts to Earth should be …show more content…
First, the Americans and Russians had the space race, which potentially impacted other programs or research that could have used the money for other purposes. In addition, NASA has spent approximately $113 billion on their space shuttle program that included 5 shuttles.12 In 2010, NASA spent approximately $775 million to prepare and launch a space shuttle.12 In 2014, NASA’s yearly budget was approximately $19 billion, which means that a person who makes $50,000 a year will contribute approximately $33 per year to NASA.13 In addition, space travel has played an important role in development and expansion of curiosity in humans. For example, directors, producers, and writers have had developed stories for entertainment that deal with traveling to Mars, alien attacks, or other stories that have initiated the imagination of many people around the world. Also, individuals become curious about space and space travel, which may result in pursuing science or military to become an astronaut or conduct research about space. Next, space travel has allowed for the implementation of important and sustainable technology. For example, numerous satellites have been placed into space to capture images of Earth, GPS, and weather satellites that have been important and have become “normal” for humans to operate. Overall, space travel has shaped our history and everyday lives, but research at the
History and effects of space travel to humans
History
To explore the occupational and environmental effects of working and living in space, the …show more content…
First, astronauts are constantly in microgravity, which poses a risk to their health through decreased BMI, bone loss of up to 1.5% per month8, and potentially to their overall health status.6 The microgravity does not present “normal” gravity to the bones and muscles, which may lead to wasting if resistance exercise is not implemented.7 Next, the circadian rhythm is the human’s internal system for sleep, which can be severely altered due to the 16 sunrise and sunsets, because light is the main stimulus for the circadian rhythm.6 The alteration in the circadian rhythm may cause sleep deprivation, mood alteration, decreased work performance, or increased sleeping aide usage. Lastly, astronauts may experience a high stress load, because they are living in confinement and isolation, have “fear” of debris or solar flares, and have no family or friends aboard the space missions.6 Overall, working and living in space increases the risks for many health conditions or alterations to health, but the environmental impacts to Earth should be …show more content…
First, the Americans and Russians had the space race, which potentially impacted other programs or research that could have used the money for other purposes. In addition, NASA has spent approximately $113 billion on their space shuttle program that included 5 shuttles.12 In 2010, NASA spent approximately $775 million to prepare and launch a space shuttle.12 In 2014, NASA’s yearly budget was approximately $19 billion, which means that a person who makes $50,000 a year will contribute approximately $33 per year to NASA.13 In addition, space travel has played an important role in development and expansion of curiosity in humans. For example, directors, producers, and writers have had developed stories for entertainment that deal with traveling to Mars, alien attacks, or other stories that have initiated the imagination of many people around the world. Also, individuals become curious about space and space travel, which may result in pursuing science or military to become an astronaut or conduct research about space. Next, space travel has allowed for the implementation of important and sustainable technology. For example, numerous satellites have been placed into space to capture images of Earth, GPS, and weather satellites that have been important and have become “normal” for humans to operate. Overall, space travel has shaped our history and everyday lives, but research at the