How do humans survive the extreme challenges of living in microgravity?
In short: Living aboard the International Space Station requires more than just technical skill. To ensure astronauts thrive, NASA employs a specialized team of physicians, psychologists, and nutritionists to manage the unique risks of space, from maintaining physical fitness to navigating the complexities of social dynamics in a confined environment.
Preparing for life in orbit involves rigorous qualification training. In November 2015, the Expedition 46/47 primary crew—comprising ESA's Timothy Peake, Roscosmos's Yuri Malenchenko, and NASA's Timothy Kopra—finished their concluding drills at Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City. These crews, including backups like Kate Rubins and Takuya Onishi, must prepare for six-month missions aboard spacecraft like the Soyuz TMA-19M. The training process ensures every member is ready for the journey. This preparation is essential before they board the spacecraft for their long-term assignment.
Beyond technical flight skills, NASA must solve the fundamental problems of human biology in space. This includes managing optimal nutrition and mitigating the risks posed by microgravity. To do this, specialized caretakers such as exercise scientists and medical physicians work to predict and assess how the human body reacts to the orbital environment. Even simple daily tasks, such as drinking coffee, washing hair, or using the bathroom, require specific adaptations and specialized equipment to function correctly in weightlessness. Specialised equipment is vital for these daily activities. Such innovations allow astronauts to maintain their hygiene and nutrition while orbiting the Earth.
The challenges extend into psychological and social realms. NASA uses simulations like the Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) to study how crews cope with deep space conditions without leaving Earth. These studies focus on how humans maintain privacy, build group dynamics, and adapt to unexpected circumstances while missing their families. Even civic duties are considered; astronauts can participate in elections via absentee ballots or early voting coordinated with their home county clerks. These simulations provide vital data for future missions. Such research helps scientists understand how humans might handle the isolation of deep space travel.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Preparing for Life Aboard the Space Station
- Also: Living in Space
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