In the microgravity environment of space, astronauts are exposed to a range of illnesses they may not encounter on Earth. They are vulnerable to muscular-skeletal changes, radiation, and stress-related or psychological problems.
They may experience sleep deprivation, anxiety, or depression. In some cases, astronauts can be affected by Microgravity-Induced Visual Impairment or Intracranial Pressure, which is caused by fluid build-up in the brain.
Muscular-skeletal changes can include back pain, spinal disc herniation, and physiological adaptation to microgravity, such as loss of bone and muscle mass. These changes can be prevented by frequent resistance and aerobic exercises.
Another issue astronauts face is radiation exposure. In space, the astronauts can be exposed to cosmic rays and solar flares. High doses of radiation can damage tissues and increase the risk of developing cancer.
To protect astronauts from radiation, special shields can be used, and astronauts can also take preventative measures such as taking dietary supplements and eating foods that are high in antioxidants.
Stress-related problems can also be encountered in space. The confined living environment and lack of gravity can lead to psychological issues such as loneliness, boredom, and reduced social interaction.
To protect astronauts’ mental health, they can participate in group activities, make use of the onboard communication and entertainment systems, exercise, and keep in regular contact with family and friends back home.
Finally, astronauts can suffer from space sickness, which is a form of motion sickness. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. To prevent this, astronauts take medication, or make use of orthostatic stability devices that monitor body position and help to prevent disorientation.
In conclusion, there are a range of illnesses and conditions astronauts can suffer from while in space. These can include muscular-skeletal changes, radiation exposure, psychological issues, and space sickness.
With proper prevention, protection, and education, these issues can be managed to ensure the health and safety of astronauts on their mission.
Table of Contents
What are 3 dangers of living in space?
Living in space presents a variety of challenges and dangers, which all astronauts must be aware of and trained to deal with.
1. Radiation Exposure: One of the most significant dangers of living in space is the threat of radiation exposure. Astronauts are exposed to much higher doses of ionizing radiation than people on Earth, primarily due to the lack of atmosphere in space.
This radiation can cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, damage to the central nervous system, and premature aging.
2. Microgravity: Another danger of living in space is the long-term effects of living in a microgravity environment. Without the force of gravity to oppose it, the human body adapts in ways that can have adverse long-term consequences, such as muscle and bone loss, changes in vision, and cardiovascular problems.
3. Other Environmental Factors: Living in space also presents other environmental challenges, such as the threat of asteroid collisions, extreme temperatures, and even the potential for psychological issues due to being so isolated from other people.
As such, astronauts must be adequately trained and prepared to deal with any unexpected situations that may arise during their time in space.
Can humans get sick in space?
Yes, humans can get sick in space. Just like on Earth, microorganisms and viruses exist in space, which can cause sickness in astronauts and cosmonauts. Humans in space can also experience various health effects due to the microgravity and radiation exposure associated with space travel, such as changes in the cardiovascular system, decreased physical strength and mobility, changes in the immune system, and visual impairment.
Astronauts often have to take medication to prevent or treat these issues, and there is a variety of medical equipment on board the International Space Station to help monitor crew health. Some of the ailments that have been reported among astronauts in space include dizziness, malaise, upper respiratory tract infections, changes in vision, and nausea.
How many bodies are lost in space?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to know exactly how many people have been lost in space due to the vast expanse and inaccessibility of space. However, an estimated number of 18 astronauts have died due to space-related accidents, though this number may be higher as some of the deaths are unaccounted for.
The most infamous incident resulting in death in space was the ill-fated Apollo 1 mission in 1967, which resulted in the death of the entire three-person crew. Additionally, there have been several cosmonauts who went missing during their missions, most notably Georgi Dobrovolski, Vladislav Volkov, and Viktor Patsayev on the Soyuz 11 mission in 1971.
It is also speculated that over the years there may have been astronauts or cosmonauts who have gone missing while on solo missions or while on secret missions, which would never be publicly acknowledged.
What does space smell like?
Based on reports from astronauts, space has a distinct smell that is often described as a mix of gunpowder, searing metal, and steak. Oftentimes, the astronauts liken the scent to burning wires or an electrical fire.
Other descriptions of the scent involve a burning smell, traces of ozone, and even the faint aroma of rum.
Astronauts are not the only ones that have experienced what space smells like. Those who have witnessed a space shuttle launch and have been close enough to the flames had reported a similar scent.
Since Earth’s atmosphere is made up of so many molecules, when a spacecraft goes through it, some of the molecules attach to the shuttle and outgas as a reaction of the air and the heat, thus creating the scent.
The faint scent may also be attributed to shooting stars, as they are ejected particles that get burned up in the atmosphere, producing the scent astronauts have come to have described.
There have also been reports of more alien-like odors in space, such as the whiff of rum, diesel fuel, and burned almond cookie. How astronauts can identify these aromas from outer space is a huge mystery, yet the scent does provide a whole new level of emotion for astronauts who experience it.
Has there ever been a death in space?
Yes, there have been fatalities in space in the past. The three main causes of death reported in space have been hypoxia and decompression, suffocation, and vehicle or equipment-related accidents.
The first reported death in space happened in 1971 on board the Salyut 1 space station. During a spacewalk to investigate a pressure leak, Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov lost power in his suit and became stranded in space.
There was nothing the mission control team could do, and Komarov’s oxygen ran out after a few hours.
In 2018, SpaceX made international news when astronaut Anton Shkaplerov, one of the three-person crew on board the Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft, died when the Soyuz depressurized. Shkaplerov suffocated to death when the spacecraft’s components malfunctioned.
In 2021, Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano also ran into trouble when his extra-vehicular activity (EVA) suit began to leak. If his EVA suit had completely depressurized, Parmitano would have died from lack of oxygen, but he was almost rescued in time.
Beyond these deaths, space-related accidents have killed other astronauts in the past. The Columbia Space Shuttle disaster of 2003 killed all seven astronauts on board and launched a year-long investigation into the cause of the explosion and the tragic space accident.
These deaths remind us of the true danger of space exploration and the consequences of any mishap that could occur while conducting missions in space. It is critical that all preventative measures are taken to ensure that these tragedies do not occur again.
Why would you freeze to death in space?
When in space, there is no atmosphere to provide adequate insulation against the extreme cold of outer space which is approximately -455 degrees Fahrenheit. The human body is unable to regulate its temperature in such conditions, and so exposure to the extreme cold leads to hypothermia.
Hypothermia begins to take effect once internal body temperatures fall below 95°F, resulting in decreased heart rate and cardiac output, slower metabolism and impaired bodily functions. In the worst cases, freezing to death in space can occur when the core body temperature falls to 82°F or below.
Freezing to death in space also occurs very quickly as the body loses heat 25 times faster in a vacuum than in normal atmospheric conditions.
What happens if you feel sick in space?
If an astronaut experiences illnesses or injuries while in space, they have access to some of the most advanced medical technology to provide care. There are devices on-board the spacecraft that allow astronauts to communicate with medical professionals on the ground and they are also fairly well stocked with basic medical supplies that cover mild illnesses and injuries.
Astronauts are also trained and experienced in treating themselves and each other in the event of a medical emergency.
The crew of the International Space Station also has the option of a spacewalk if they have to perform a medical procedure, and have the ability to move sick or injured crew members to the Soyuz spacecraft.
This can potentially allow them to return to Earth for medical treatment if need be. Each spacecraft is also equipped with basic medical technologies and supplies to help diagnose certain conditions and provide medical treatments easily in space.
In the event that an astronaut does become extremely ill in space, there is also the possibility of having medical aid sent from Earth in the form of medical kits, supplies, and medication. These kits are carefully designed for use in space and contain the necessary items for a sick crew member, including disinfectants, medical drugs, and other supplies.
Together, the astronauts and medical professionals on the ground can work together to decide the best course of action in this situation.
Can a virus survive in space?
No, a virus cannot survive in space. Viruses require a living host in order to replicate, and no such host exists in the vacuum of space. The cold, extreme temperatures, lack of water, and radiation all prevent viruses from surviving and reproducing.
In certain circumstances the exterior of a spacecraft can contain traces of bacteria, viruses and other organisms, but it is thought that the cold vacuum of space and cosmic radiation would kill off any virus on the outside of a spacecraft.
More specifically, radiation breaks apart molecules in the cells of a virus, which makes it difficult for it to reproduce in this environment. Additionally, exposure to temperatures as low as -270°C will cause water in the virus’s protein coat to freeze and destroy the virus.
While it is possible to keep a virus alive in a laboratory or other well-protected environment, it is impossible for a virus to survive indefinitely in the conditions of space.
Can astronauts catch a cold in space?
Astronauts cannot catch a cold in the same way they could on Earth due to the fact that viruses need to be in a certain environment to survive and reproduce. In space, the atmosphere is too dry, cold and lacks oxygen for the virus to live.
Additionally, there are no air particles to carry the virus, meaning it has no means of travelling between people.
That said, astronauts can be exposed to the same germs they encounter on Earth due to the enclosed environment of their space shuttle and the limited circulation of air. They are hence encouraged to take part in preventive measures like frequent handwashing so as to reduce the risk of getting infected.
Additionally, all items that are sent up to space are kept in quarantine for several weeks before being handed over to the astronauts, to ensure that any microorganism or virus are eliminated.
In conclusion, it is unlikely that an astronaut will catch a cold in space, but they do still need to take precautions in order to prevent any infections from occurring.
Can you get a runny nose in space?
It is possible to get a runny nose in space, although it is rare. This is because the atmosphere inside spacecraft is kept at a humidity level that while comfortable for humans, is not enough to cause a runny nose.
Additionally, astronauts generally do not spend enough time in space to be exposed to typical terrestrial irritants that would cause the body to produce extra mucus, like dust or pollen.
However, a runny nose can occur in space if one of the astronauts become sick with a virus or bacterial infection. In this case, the body would respond to the infectious agent by producing extra mucus to help flush out the offending particles.
Additionally, lots of time in near-zero gravity can contribute to a drop in immune system efficiency, making it easier for astronauts to fall ill and experience the same symptoms as they would on earth, such as a runny nose.
