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NASA Wants to Understand the Effects of Zero Gravity on the Human Body for Future Long-Duration Space Missions and How This May Impact Astronauts on Trips to Mars
NASA, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is recruiting volunteers for an unusual experiment: lying down for 70 consecutive days. The aim of the study is to simulate the effects of microgravity on the human body, helping to develop countermeasures to protect astronauts on future space missions. As compensation, participants will receive US$ 18,000 (approximately R$ 90,000).
How NASA’s Experiment Works
Volunteers for NASA’s research will need to remain lying face down, inclined at 6 degrees, replicating the redistribution of body fluids that occurs in space. During this period, they will perform all daily activities, including eating, bathing, and even exercising, without leaving this position. The study will be conducted in facilities of ESA in Germany.
To ensure valid results, NASA has established strict criteria for selecting participants:
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- Age: between 24 and 55 years;
- Height: between 1.53m and 1.90m;
- Good health condition and non-smokers;
- Fluency in German (since the tests are conducted in Germany).
Researchers hope that the data collected will help reduce muscle and bone loss in astronauts in zero gravity, making long-duration missions, such as a possible trip to Mars, safer.
Why Does NASA Pay People to Lie Down?
Microgravity significantly affects the human body, causing issues such as muscle atrophy, loss of bone density, circulatory difficulties, and fluid redistribution. To mitigate these impacts, scientists need to better understand the adaptations of the human body to long periods without gravity.
The NASA microgravity study may also bring benefits to medicine on Earth. The results can be applied in treatments for patients confined to bed for long periods, helping to prevent complications from prolonged immobility.
Importance of the Study for Future Space Missions
As NASA plans crewed missions to the Moon and, eventually, to Mars, understanding the effects of microgravity on the human body is essential. Prolonged space travel can last for years, and ensuring that astronauts maintain their health and physical capability is a priority for space agencies.
Previous studies have already shown that prolonged stay in space can cause a reduction in bone and muscle mass of up to 2% per month. Developing new strategies to minimize these impacts will be crucial for the success of future missions.
