Artificial hibernation can save astronauts on long-term missions from exposure to lethal doses of cosmic rays, new research suggests.
This includes a manned mission to Mars, scheduled for the late 1930s or 1940s.
Exposure to space radiation is the most dangerous factor in space travel and arguably the greatest obstacle to long-term human space exploration.
Published in Scientific ReportspaperResearchers are thinking of artificially putting astronauts into a “sleeping” state. This is the state of animals when they hibernate for the winter. Organisms living in such a state are known to have reduced life support activities and undergo changes at the molecular level and the following changes occur.
・Body temperature drops
・ metabolism decreases
-Slow heart rate
・Oxygen uptake decreases
Decreased gene activity and protein synthesis
Experiments with rats, which, like humans, do not hibernate, have shown that artificially produced hibernation increases radiation resistance. It is already accepted by scientists that animals undergoing natural hibernation acquire resistance to radiation.
A journey of six months or longer to safely send astronauts to Mars could require an artificial hibernation to protect them from cosmic ray radiation (Getty Images)
This is important because in space it is very difficult to protect astronauts from the harmful effects of cosmic rays. The biggest concern is galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). High-energy charged particles that originate in distant galaxies, including densely ionized heavy ions, cannot be prevented from entering the bodies of spacecraft and astronauts.
The existence of the GCR means that astronauts will be exposed to radiation levels in excess of 200 times the safe background radiation on Earth for extended periods of time. However, the current study shows that artificial hibernation reduces radiation-induced tissue damage.
‘Our results show that artificial hibernation is a promising way to improve the radiation protection of organisms in long-term space missions,’ said Professor Marco Durante of the GSI Accelerator Institute in Germany. . “This could be an effective strategy to protect humans exploring the solar system.”
Our findings also suggest that low tissue oxygen levels and impaired metabolism are two important factors in the prevention of radiation-induced cellular damage. More research into the effects of artificial hibernation on organs is needed, the researchers said, adding that it is currently not possible to hibernate humans in a safe and controlled way.
Wishing for clear skies and big eyes.
