ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Curiosity Stream The Challenges Of Outer Space On The Human Body | A Curious World
Our bodies are pretty amazing. We can adapt to some of the harshest places on Earth. But when it comes to space, things get tricky. In space, we can’t take everything we need, especially gravity, which is super important for our bodies. So, how do we survive without it? Can we ever live in space for a long time, or are we stuck on Earth forever?
Space is not a place our bodies are used to. It can make us feel weak, sick, and even sad. Gravity is what keeps everything in our bodies working right. Without it, things start to go wrong. Astronauts often feel dizzy or sick because their inner ear, which helps with balance, doesn’t work well without gravity. This is especially tough for pilots who need to know which way is up.
In space, it’s like being upside down all the time. Fluids in our bodies move to our heads, making faces look puffy. Some astronauts even have eye problems because of this. On Earth, we exercise to fight gravity, but in space, without exercise, muscles and bones weaken fast. Astronauts can lose a lot of muscle and bone strength in just a week. That’s why they exercise for two hours every day on the International Space Station.
Space travel also messes with sleep. Imagine seeing a sunrise every 90 minutes! After a while, this can make astronauts really tired. Plus, being stuck in a small space with the same people can get boring and stressful. Scientists are also worried about how space affects the immune system. Studies show that even fruit flies in space have weaker immune systems.
Another problem is radiation. Astronauts sometimes see flashes of light caused by cosmic rays hitting their brains. Near Earth, this isn’t too bad, but trips to places like Mars could be dangerous because of high radiation levels.
After the moon landing in 1969, NASA thought about building space colonies with artificial gravity. These would spin like amusement park rides to create gravity. This could help avoid the problems of weightlessness. Another idea is a special suit that squeezes the body to mimic gravity. Finding a way to create artificial gravity is important if we want to live in space for a long time.
Living in space is a big challenge for our bodies. We need to figure out how to deal with the lack of gravity, radiation, and other issues. With more research and technology, we might one day make long-term space living possible!
Try creating a simple experiment to simulate the effects of gravity on the human body. Use a spinning chair to mimic the concept of artificial gravity. Spin slowly and observe how your body feels during and after the spin. Discuss how this relates to the idea of spinning space colonies mentioned in the article.
Design a daily exercise routine that astronauts might use to combat muscle and bone loss in space. Include exercises that can be done in a confined space without traditional gym equipment. Share your routine with the class and explain why each exercise is important.
Role-play a day in the life of an astronaut on the International Space Station. Include activities like exercise, scientific experiments, and dealing with the challenges of sleep and isolation. Reflect on how these activities help manage the effects of living in space.
Work in groups to design a concept for a radiation shield that could protect astronauts on a mission to Mars. Use materials available in your classroom to create a model. Present your design to the class, explaining how it addresses the radiation risks discussed in the article.
Write a short story imagining life in a future space colony with artificial gravity. Describe daily life, the challenges faced, and how technology helps overcome these challenges. Share your story with the class and discuss the feasibility of such a future based on the article.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[Music] Our bodies are tough. We routinely venture into some of the most inhospitable regions on Earth and manage to adapt. But once we leave our home planet, all bets are off. When we travel in space, we’re able to take many of Earth’s comforts with us, but the one item we could probably use the most, we have to leave on the launchpad: gravity. How do we survive without gravity, where there’s nothing at all? And even if we learn to, is there any chance for a long-term stay, or are we destined to be eternally Earthbound?
Space isn’t an environment we’ve evolved to survive in; it leaves you weak, sick, and depressed, and that’s after a successful trip. Gravity holds us together, and without it, just about everything goes wrong. One of the first things astronauts complain about is nausea or vomiting. Without gravity, the inner ear barely functions, affecting spatial orientation, which is particularly bad news for a pilot. After a few days, there’s more trouble. Being in space is like standing on your head; your body is programmed to drive fluids toward the upper parts, but with no gravity to counter the effect, the fluids pull into your head and give you a swollen face. Some crew members have experienced optic nerve swelling and changes in the retina and overall shape of the eye.
Our daily battle with gravity on Earth is commonly known as exercise, and without it, the body starts to deteriorate fast. Astronauts can lose up to a third of their muscle mass, including in their heart, within 7 to 10 days of flight. The same goes for bone loss; astronauts’ bones actually dissolve in space at a rate of 1 to 2% a month, with weight-supporting bones like the femur taking the biggest hit. Each crew member on the International Space Station puts in an hour of cardiovascular training and an hour of weightlifting every day. After a few weeks in space, sleep deprivation also starts to take a toll, and it’s no wonder there’s a new dawn every 90 minutes.
After more than half a century of manned space flight, we’re well aware of the many psychological issues likely to arise during an extended mission. Being cooped up and working with the same people in the same routine can grow pretty dull. But that’s not the worst of it. There is growing evidence that extended time in space can wreak havoc on our immune system. A NASA study found that the white blood cells of orbiting fruit flies had a harder time fighting infection than their Earthbound counterparts. Scientists think the microgravity environment can disrupt even the most basic cell functions.
But what’s happening inside the body is just part of the problem. Astronauts often experience bright flashes of light caused by cosmic rays passing through their brains. So far, most long-term expeditions have stayed close enough to Earth’s atmosphere to keep these doses of radiation low, but with more distant travel to Mars, exposure levels could turn deadly, making the missions too risky.
After Neil Armstrong successfully walked on the moon in 1969, NASA began moving forward with plans to create giant colonies in space. Early designs included artificial gravity generated by enormous spinning wheels. They work kind of like those rides at amusement parks that spin around, pushing you to the outer wall. If the massive wheel spins at just the right speed, the outward force will feel just like gravity here on Earth, eliminating the harmful effects of weightlessness. Once it’s spinning in the vacuum of space, it requires no additional energy or maintenance to continue. Still, there are challenges.
A simpler solution may be a kind of gravity skin suit that uses elastic pressure to squeeze you and simulate gravity. In the long term, artificial gravity is something we’re going to have to figure out because we now know we can’t live long without it.
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Gravity – The force that attracts a body toward the center of the earth, or toward any other physical body having mass. – Gravity keeps the planets in orbit around the sun.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse that exists beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. – Scientists study space to understand more about the universe and our place in it.
Astronauts – People who are trained to travel and work in space. – Astronauts conduct experiments on the International Space Station to learn how living in space affects the human body.
Immune – Relating to the body’s defense system against infections and diseases. – In space, astronauts’ immune systems can become weaker, making them more susceptible to illnesses.
Radiation – Energy that comes from a source and travels through space, which can be harmful to living organisms. – Spacecraft are designed to protect astronauts from harmful radiation in space.
Exercise – Physical activity that is done to maintain or improve health and fitness. – Astronauts must exercise regularly in space to prevent muscle and bone loss.
Muscles – Tissues in the body that have the ability to contract and produce movement or maintain the position of parts of the body. – Without regular exercise, astronauts’ muscles can weaken during long space missions.
Bones – The rigid organs that form part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates, providing structure and protection. – In microgravity, astronauts’ bones can lose density, making them more fragile.
Challenges – Difficult tasks or problems that require effort and determination to overcome. – One of the biggest challenges in space exploration is ensuring the safety of astronauts during long missions.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have made it possible to send spacecraft to distant planets.
