Space Flight Effects

Jacob Bernardi

Effects of Long Term Space Flight

Within my scientifically accurate sci-fi story, I will be focusing my scientific concept on the effects long term space flight has on the human body. The major technology I will be explaining will be a privatized space shuttle that uses a plasma based propulsion system. I will also be explaining not only the physical effects of long term space flight, but also the psychological effects as well. The story takes place in the year 2032. An asteroid containing an alien microbial, parasitic, and highly invasive life form crashes into the Pacific ocean in 2030. Undetectable by human technology and able to survive most known distillation processes; it spreads until the entire tertian oceanic system,

However, it is important to understand the multiple health risks involved in extended extra-terrestrial transit, in order to take precautionary measures to prevent them, and continuously propel humanity closer and closer to making extended space travel a reality. Extended space travel affects humans by lowering bone density, impaired sensory motor coordination, decreased muscle function, reduced cardiac function, and a large exposure to radiation. In order to alleviate these negative effects, there are multiple ways technology has advanced and been implemented into spacecraft as

Balance is a great example of one. A small amount of fluid is located within three different semi-circular chambers within the body’s ear. These chambers act as a level to give the body an idea of where it is at relative to the earths gravitational pull. In deep space however, the body no longer has an idea of balance due to the fact no forces are acting on the sensors that relay that information to the brain. Astronauts have also been know to experience Space Motion Sickness when entering orbit and beyond. This is due to the fact that when in micro gravity, the brain is constantly receiving a plethora of conflicting signals from the vestibular, visual, and somato-sensory organs. This confusion tricks the brain into thinking some foreign substance has entered the body and is causing problems, so it does whatever it can to expel the potential intruder by doing anything from causing nausea to full on vomiting. No known medication has been discovered yet to combat this simply because not a lot of people have or will go into microgravity situations. Lack of sleep can also cause impairment in the sensory-motor cortex as well, and because of the absence of a true 24-hour day while orbiting earth, the body is never truly able to tell when it should go to sleep and when it should be awake. An average circadian rhythm also dictates the regulation of certain hormones,