Potential Hazards of Space Exploration

Mankind has spent an entirety on earth, So our bodies have adapted to its environment.

We are not built to survive in the mayhems of the cosmos.

Yet, Humans have always wondered about the vastness that lies beyond.

And not just wondered, but have tried numerous times to explore the mystery of space.

In such attempts, we have come across potential hazards that might want us to reconsider the idea of going to space.

Still, going to space and exploring it is way too appealing to say no to.

But exploring the hazards that come with it are a must to watch out for.

Lack of Gravity (Yes, you will lose weight)

A lack of gravity in space demands astronauts to adapt to weightlessness and if they land on the moon or

on mars, then they have to adapt to the gravity of that specific celestial body.

Our bodies are made to pump fluids in our body upward and gravity pulls it down,

Whereas in zero gravity, fluids are pumped upward but there is no force to drag them back down.

This results in astronauts having ‘red heads’ and shrunken legs.

They also have to adapt to normal gravity upon reentry on earth, which causes lightheadedness and fainting in some cases.

Zero gravity in space causes muscles and bone loss, as the stress on them is reduced as compared to when they are under earth’s gravity.

This results in bones becoming less dense and brittle.

Research published by NASA in 2017 shows that Weight bearing Bones in the body lose on average around 1–1.5% Bone Mineral Density (BMD) during space flight every month…YES, EVERY MONTH!

Space Radiation

On earth, we are protected from outer space radiation.

Earth’s magnetosphere protects against them and the rest that get past is stopped by the atmosphere of earth.

But in space there is neither to stop it.

Mainly the radiation in space includes Galactic Cosmic Rays (G.C.R), Solar wind, Van Allen Belt, etc.

They are produced either from explosions of stars and supernovas outside of the solar system, or by the sun’s extended atmosphere of low density plasma, or the trapping of ionized particles around the earth’s magnetosphere.

Regardless of the method,

These radiations can put astronauts at a serious risk of Acute Radiation Sickness (A.R.S) which can induce fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

Furthermore, Effect of radiation on cancer induction, central nervous system, immune system, and eyes are not well known and might pose a threat.

Research by NASA shows that space radiation was the cause of a 10.7–14.6% ventricular Enlargement in astronauts and cosmonauts.

Another study shows that an exposure of less than ten seconds just outside of earth’s atmosphere from solar radiation will be enough to cause retinal burn.

Isolation & Confinements

Imagine not being able to access social media and that new youtube video.

Sounds Scary Right..?

In space, astronauts are bombarded with tight routines, harsh environments and on top of that, isolation in space.

These routines of Confinement with a handful cause behavioral responses in astronauts.

It puts them in a psychological pinch that causes stress leading to improper immunity.

Stress causes immune dysfunction m0re than radiation or zero gravity.

A recent study indicates that the primary factor in immune dysfunction in astronauts and cosmonauts was stress.

Different spaceflight simulated experiments have been conducted. Which also showed irregularities in the immune system of test volunteers.

Similarly, different astronauts are more prone to hazards than others.

An experiment conducted in Russia by Roscosmos, ESA, and the Chinese Space agency showed that certain astronauts were more likely to suffer from psychological strain and diseases.

Closed Environment

In the Closed environment of ISS or a potential moon or mars mission spacecraft, bacteria grow and a kind of ecosystem takes place.

If a spaceship is sent on a mission to the moon or mars, the crew inside would have to spend weeks or even months together in a closed confined space.

In such an environment, the transfer of microbes from one another becomes convenient leading to allergies and diseases.

Stress is also elevated in a packed space which can induce immunity disorders.

Study shows that most of the microbes of either human origin or environmental are not severely

dangerous for healthy astronauts. Whereas, those with weak immunity can develop a health threat.

Distance from Earth

As the space crew travel farther and farther away from earth, problems start to arise.

Mars is almost 140 Million miles away from earth, meaning that instead of a three day lunar trip, astronauts might be leaving earth for approximately three years.

During this trip, a communication barrier of roughly 15 to 20 minutes one way arises.

Astronauts will need to be self-sufficient in technology, medical supplies, and food in order to survive that long of a journey.

In case of immediate necessity of ration and supplies, space crew would be in serious trouble.

Conclusion

In short, it can be said that numerous space hazards are out there.

A lack of gravity, lack of atmosphere and oxygen, lack of and excess of heat, excess of radiation, etc.

Experiments and tests are being conducted to make living out there as sustainable as possible.

But to make it completely feasible, intense research and work needs to be done.