The absence of gravity modifies the blood circulation, the bones, the heart, the muscles …
Life in space fascinates as much as it dreams, probably because it remains reserved for a handful of elected officials. Despite technological advances, staying beyond our atmosphere remains an extremely rare and demanding privilege. During an orbit stay, the body is put to the test. Between cosmic radiation, the effects of the improper and prolonged isolation, living for a long time in space represents a scientific, medical and human challenge of size. The lifespan of a human being in space depends strongly on several factors: the duration of the stay, the protection against radiation, artificial severity or not, supply of oxygen, food, and the maintenance of physical and mental health.
Even with a combination and spatial protections, man is not suitable for living for a long time in space: the absence of gravity modifies blood circulation, bone and muscle structures, immunity, balance and orientation. Back on Earth, the tension falls cause 2 out of 3 cosmonauts to have the risk of syncope, explains Michel Cabaret, director of the space of sciences in Rennes, in a podcast. It is therefore necessary to monitor increased, as well as time for the brain and the body to enhance. This is why the standard duration for most astronauts is around 6 months in space (180 days), allowing a good balance between scientific, logistical, and human physical limits. The space life record is held by Valeri Polyakov, a Russian cosmonaut, who stayed 14 months (437 days) aboard the MIR orbital station in the 90s.
Without protection or combination, man is directly exposed to the space vacuum, which is deadly almost instantly. The absence of pressure boils body liquids (including eyes and saliva), lack of oxygen leads to loss of consciousness and death quickly follows by asphyxiation. The lifespan of a human being without combination would therefore be, according to NASA, around 90 seconds (1 minute 30).
If space is dreaming, it also recalls how our body is shaped to live on earth, and vulnerable far from its protective atmosphere.
