NASA’s new high-tech vacuum sleeping bag seeks to provide a solution to their vision problems as the space agency prepares for long-range missions to the Moon, and then Mars.
(Image: NASA via Getty Images)
JEZERO CRATER, MARCH – FEBRUARY 18: In this published image provided by NASA, the first high-resolution color image sent by Hazard Cameras (Hazcams) at the bottom of NASA’s Persevere Mars rover after landing in the region known as Jezero Crater on February 18 2021 on Planet Mars. Astrobiology is one of the main goals of persistence missions to Mars, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life. The rover will characterize the planet’s geology and past climate, pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and will be the first mission to collect and store Martian rock and regolite.
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NASA astronauts and vision problems
Although NASA has been sending astronauts to the International Space Station or the International Space Station for two-month stays for years now, the solution to vision problems after they return to Earth remains unclear.
According to a report GenSide UK, The strange effect of staying in space for a long time was first discovered in 2005.
During that time, NASA astronaut John Phillips returned to Earth with a sharp decline in his vision after a six-month stay on the International Space Station. His vision changed from 20/20 to 20/100 after his space mission.
After that, two theories emerged about the accident.
However, the reason behind this only came to light after research led by University of Miami professor of radiology and biomedical engineering, Noam Alperin, investigated it.
Subsequent studies found that vision problems from being in space after a few months were caused by changes in a person’s brain chemistry.
More precisely, studies have found that cerebrospinal fluid in some parts of the astronaut’s brain increases, which then causes significant vision loss.
The extra fluid in the brain specifically causes people’s eyeballs to become permanently flattened, leading to vision problems, or in worse cases, blindness.
Vacuum sleeping bag for astronauts from NASA
With all that being said, a group of scientists from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or Utah have focused on studying the problems NASA astronauts face with their vision.
According to a report world republic, The US space agency has contacted UT to reveal a solution to a vision problem that is raging among astronauts.
It happened because NASA also wanted to take humans back to the Moon and, soon after, the Red Planet.
A study by scientists led them to develop a vacuum sleeping bag that could prevent the eyeballs from flattening out for two months in space.
Also read: China’s space program to use powerful nuclear reactors for Mars missions! 100 times more efficient than NASA
NASA Astronaut Sleeping Bag: How It Works
Essentially, sleeping bags for NASA astronauts help prevent their bodily fluids from drifting into their brains.
To do this, the researchers embedded a vacuum cleaner or suction function into the sleeping bag instead of gravity on the floor.
It should be noted that on our planet this vision problem is impossible because the fluid from our head drops into our body as soon as we get out of bed.
On the other hand, at least half a gallon of body fluid remains in space on their heads. Sleeping bags try to prevent chemicals from messing with their heads.
Related article: Fixing Mars with an artificial magnetic field? Experts say it’s possible through the Martian moon Phobos, but how?
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By Tejay Boris
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