09 Track 9

Unit 8

Space and Flight

Chapter 1

Human Adaptation to Space

Page 135

Human Adaptation to Space

In April 1961, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made history when he became the first man to travel in space. On July 20, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon.

Now that humans have been to the Moon and robots have been sent to Mars, some people believe the next step is for humans to visit Mars.

There’s no doubt that the first person to walk on Mars will become as famous as Gagarin or Armstrong, and many astronauts would love the opportunity.

But what is space travel really like for the men and women who go on these missions?

Many astronauts suffer physical problems on these missions, even if they are in space for just a few months. Some of these problems are short-lived; others may be long-lasting.

More than two-thirds of all astronauts suffer from motion sickness while traveling in space. In an environment without gravity, the body cannot tell up from down. The body’s internal balance system sends confusing signals to the brain, which can result in nausea lasting as long as a few days.

The amount of blood and other fluids in the body also ends up being distributed differently after an extended period of time in this environment. More fluid than normal ends up in the face, neck, and chest, resulting in a puffy face, bulging neck veins, and a slightly enlarged heart.

For the duration of their mission, astronauts experience conditions that affect their health. For example, their bones get weaker and they may lose muscle.

Being in a weightless environment means that astronauts tend not to use the muscles they rely upon on Earth, so their muscles gradually atrophy. This, combined with the shift of fluid to the upper body and the resulting loss of essential minerals (such as calcium), causes bones to weaken.

As a result, many astronauts are unable to walk properly for a few days upon their return to Earth. In addition, they are exposed to radiation from the sun, which is more intense without the Earth’s atmosphere to protect them. This puts them at a higher risk of cancer.

In addition to physical difficulties, astronauts who travel for long periods may also suffer from psychological stress. Space travel requires astronauts to be very focused, balanced people.

The irregular sleep, long working hours, and the lack of night and day can affect a person’s emotions and stress level. Being able to control one’s emotions is an important characteristic for an astronaut.

A major factor that affects astronauts’ mental well-being is time. To date, astronauts have only spent a few months in space at a time, but longer expeditions would require astronauts to spend significantly more time inside a spaceship.

For example, a round-trip expedition to Mars could take about three years. Being confined in a small space for such a long period of time is not healthy.

Research has shown that travelers on such long journeys − such as sailors or explorers in the Arctic − have an above-average chance of suffering from depression. Astronauts, especially those who achieved significant “firsts” such as Gagarin and Armstrong − are often seen as exciting and adventurous.

This may be accurate, but it’s also worth remembering their dedication and the sacrifices they make to explore our universe.