The 9 -month stay of astronauts in space could help with the healthiest mission to Mars
Like astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams take their terrestrial legs Again on earthThe effects of being blocked in space for nine months – and their recovery – will give scientists the opportunity to improve preparations for any and even longer space flights, the experts say.
NASA aims to send Humans in Mars Already in the 1930s; Flights that, back and return, may take 21 months.
“The extreme environment of space, radiation, lack of gravity, even just those confined spaces, can really have an impact on our health,” said dr. Farhan Asrar, associate professor at the University of Toronto and the associated dean of Clinical Faculty Relations at the Toronto Metropatan University Medical School, which seek space medicines.
“Literally, I would say, practically from head to toe, it can cause problems.”
Without gravity, body fluids move upwards, bringing to swelling the face and increased pressure in the skull, which can affect the vision.
On earth, the attraction of gravity helps prevent Loss of bones and muscles. To try to contrast it, the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for an average Two hours one day.
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In addition, the cardiovascular system changes, which can lead to difficulty regulating blood pressure on the return to earth. Asrar indicated a Canadian study that suggested carotid arteries of astronauts can age the equivalent of 20 years Alone six months of space.
Heart and lungs, the balance mechanism in our ears and ours immune systems They are also strongly affected by the space flight, says Robert Thirsk, a former astronaut with the Canadian space agency and a retired doctor.
Thirst trained at NASA with Williams and says he can’t wait to talk to her about how to improve Mars training missions.
He says that astronauts will have to be more autonomous on Mars, since it takes 20 minutes to send a message from there to the control of the mission – too long, for example, if the heart of a crew suffers from arrhythmia.
“I think the delivery of health care is the number one problem that must be solved before we are ready to launch the first crew,” Thursk said on Tuesday.
He says it will be essential to have a doctor on board for the crew of Mars, together with diagnostic and monitoring tools authorized for AI.
Despite their extensive stay on board the ISS, others have been in the space much longer than Wilmore and Williams. The record is Held by Valery PolyakovWhich was on board the MIR station of Russia for 437 days, or more than 14 months, in the mid -90s.
At the time, Mir had an ultrasound on board to monitor the health changes of the Cosmonout. It was the size of an ABM.
Now, says Asrar, the ultrasound on ISS has the size of a game console.
Likewise, astronauts also use the Canadian space agency Bio-analizerA portable tool that tests their blood, went up and urine from a few drops. The readings of Wilmore and Williams before their trip will be compared to their conditions now.
Thirstk says that astronauts are made well aware of the impacts of space flight on their skills, including stress. Self -care, teamwork, intercultural skills and the ability to drive and follow are all important skills for their careers.
“I think the difference between a good astronaut and a great astronaut is the mastery of some of these personality traits,” he said.
