SPACE
Space is exactly what it sounds like. It is literally the space between objects that are made up of matter. There is only about one Hydrogen atom per cubic meterThis space is essentially a vacuum. Imagine you are floating above the Earth in a space suit. Your suit protects you from the nothingness around you. If you were to take off your suit, your body would immediately decompress due to the extremely low pressure in space. This means that your blood would actually start to bubble, removing Oxygen from the blood and starving the brain of Oxygen.
In the International Space Station, the environment is controlled with technology. Astronauts still have to wear compression garments (tight clothing) that can protect them from low pressure, but the living areas and space suits are always pressurized.
Sometimes, space sickness can occur when people are in space. Because humans are built to live under conditions with gravity, weightlessness can have damaging effects on the body. This can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches and tiredness. Space sickness usually lasts for 1-3 days until the body adjusts.
Living in space long-term can have negative effects on the body. Again, because humans are optimized for gravity, muscles can break down due to lack of pressure and stimulation. Most muscle loss can be prevented through a strict exercise routine. Because the bones constantly reinforce themselves when stress is placed upon them, weightlessness can also reduce this good stress and cause the skeleton to break down. Astronauts regularly experience about 1% bone loss for every month they spend in space. This is a very negative thing for long-term skeletal health. Other effects of weightlessness include an imbalance of bodily fluids, slowing of the cardiovascular (circulation) system, a weakening of the immune system, facial puffiness, poor sleep and decreased production of red blood cells. Until a technology is created that simulates Earth-like gravity conditions, this will be a problem for astronauts.
For long duration space travel, radiation can pose an acute health hazard. Cosmic rays are radioactive particles that travel through space from other galaxies and our own sun. Exposure to radiation can result in fatigue, nausea, vomiting, as well as damage to the immune system and changes to white blood cell count. Over longer durations, symptoms include increased risk of cancer, damage to the eyes, nervous system, lungs and the digestive system. We are normally protected by the Earth's magnetic field (which repels cosmic rays) while we are on the surface of the Earth. Fortunately, in space, most particles can be blocked by the shielding aluminum walls of a spacecraft, water containers and other barriers within a craft. However, the impact of the cosmic rays upon the shielding produces additional radiation that can affect the crew.
In the International Space Station, the environment is controlled with technology. Astronauts still have to wear compression garments (tight clothing) that can protect them from low pressure, but the living areas and space suits are always pressurized.
Sometimes, space sickness can occur when people are in space. Because humans are built to live under conditions with gravity, weightlessness can have damaging effects on the body. This can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches and tiredness. Space sickness usually lasts for 1-3 days until the body adjusts.
Living in space long-term can have negative effects on the body. Again, because humans are optimized for gravity, muscles can break down due to lack of pressure and stimulation. Most muscle loss can be prevented through a strict exercise routine. Because the bones constantly reinforce themselves when stress is placed upon them, weightlessness can also reduce this good stress and cause the skeleton to break down. Astronauts regularly experience about 1% bone loss for every month they spend in space. This is a very negative thing for long-term skeletal health. Other effects of weightlessness include an imbalance of bodily fluids, slowing of the cardiovascular (circulation) system, a weakening of the immune system, facial puffiness, poor sleep and decreased production of red blood cells. Until a technology is created that simulates Earth-like gravity conditions, this will be a problem for astronauts.
For long duration space travel, radiation can pose an acute health hazard. Cosmic rays are radioactive particles that travel through space from other galaxies and our own sun. Exposure to radiation can result in fatigue, nausea, vomiting, as well as damage to the immune system and changes to white blood cell count. Over longer durations, symptoms include increased risk of cancer, damage to the eyes, nervous system, lungs and the digestive system. We are normally protected by the Earth's magnetic field (which repels cosmic rays) while we are on the surface of the Earth. Fortunately, in space, most particles can be blocked by the shielding aluminum walls of a spacecraft, water containers and other barriers within a craft. However, the impact of the cosmic rays upon the shielding produces additional radiation that can affect the crew.
Life in a space ship or the International Space Station is not easy! Here are some of the obstacles to life in space:
Because your final project is on life in space, it will be up to you to do your own research to find out more about this extreme environment.
- Radiation and space sickness can wreak havoc on the body.
- Always having to be weightless, which can cause difficulty doing the simplest tasks, such as showering, eating and using the toilet. Personal hygiene can suffer as a result.
- Floating debris can clog up the instruments
- It is difficult to keep things clean and organized.
- If the cabin depressurizes, it is very dangerous.
- If the craft is damaged, it is life-threatening.
- It can be extremely lonely to live in space. Astronauts have to be very mentally strong.
Because your final project is on life in space, it will be up to you to do your own research to find out more about this extreme environment.