Manned space missions of the future will allow astronauts to sleep through the entire journey

spacex suit

One of the biggest hurdles when it comes to long-distance, manned space missions is ... a long journey time. Space agencies have an idea how to solve it. The answer is to introduce the crew into a long-lasting sleep.

Of course, our species does not have the ability to hibernate, as do bears, for example. A pity, personally I would gladly be back dozens of kilos before winter and wake up at the beginning of spring with an ideal figure. Well, but it's not so good. The winter numbness of some species of mammals induces several key effects from the perspective of cosmic missions.

Space hibernation has the same advantages.

First of all: during such a lethargy, the metabolic rate slows down at least twenty times. In the case of space missions, this is a very desirable effect - the lethargy crew consumes less resources, which means that you can send it either on a longer journey or save on the weight of the spacecraft. In addition, mammals with a built-in option for winter numbness do not suffer from muscle atrophy (degeneration) and bone degeneration at this time. We do not quite know why, but if it was possible to repeat these effects with astronauts, it would be a huge plus.

Secondly, astronauts in this state, inevitably do not need too much living space. Potentially, this means that manned missions could be sent in much smaller constructions, which - again - translates into savings.

Thirdly, perhaps most importantly, sleeping on the entire journey (or even its longer part), the space crew will arrive in a much better mental state. It may seem a little ridiculous, but try to imagine that for the next 3-5-7 years you will be locked in a quite claustrophobic space with other people. This is not the most enjoyable experience in the world. Personally, I would rather sleep them. Just how to do it?

A winter dream of astronauts

Being deprived of the natural ability to fall into lethargy, we must - as usual - rely on science . We are currently exploring two ideas. The European Space Agency is testing pharmacological measures that - if everything goes as planned - would be able to significantly slow down human metabolism and put our brains into a coma. The first tests of this method, made on laboratory rats, were quite promising . No one knows when and if we can expect the first clinical trials on humans.

In turn, the American company SpaceWorks Enterprises explores the possibilities related to therapeutic hypothermia. This is a procedure normally used to treat the effects of sudden cardiac arrest. Protective properties of hypothermia have been known for a long time. Including many cases of miraculous curing of drowned people, who stayed for a long time under the surface of ice water.

The problem is, however, that our current knowledge in this topic allows you to hibernate such a patient for only a few hours. If this method is used during space missions, it is far too short a time and we do not know if we will ever be able to extend it.

Developing an effective way is not enough

Regardless of which of the above methods turns out to be more effective, space agencies will have to develop yet a whole set of appropriate procedures related to the introduction and awakening of astronauts from the cosmic lethargy state.

This includes the development of appropriate sleeping capsules, automation of life monitoring instruments of crew members and such issues as, for example, whether there should be at least one conscious person on board, in the event of any failure. And if so, how much this change of guard should take place.

Representatives of ESA and NASA themselves indicate that the development of an effective method of cosmic hibernation - if it is successful - will take a dozen or so years. The earliest, any sensible attempts to use it, we can count only after 2030. The question is whether by that time we will have new ship designs that will take us on a safe journey somewhere farther away than on Mars.

The destination itself has not been designated yet.



Manned space missions of the future will allow astronauts to sleep through the entire journey

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