Recently, SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission sent a team of private astronauts into an unexplored high Earth orbit.
This mission, distinct from NASA operations, focused on understanding and overcoming the physiological challenges of space travel.
Physical Challenges Encountered in Space
The Polaris Dawn mission, conducted by SpaceX, involved four civilian crew members who embarked on a historic journey into a high Earth orbit. During the mission, each member experienced a variety of physical sensations, with reports of different symptoms. Scott “Kidd” Poteet, a former US Air Force pilot, mentioned a decline in vision acuity after the initial days. Meanwhile, Anna Menon, a SpaceX engineer and the mission’s medical officer, suffered from space adaptation syndrome, a condition affecting up to 80% of those travelling to orbit, which manifests in symptoms ranging from lightheadedness to vomiting.
Research and Health Experiments
The mission sought to address some of the troubling health challenges associated with space travel. The crew engaged in multiple health-focused experiments, including wearing special contact lenses that monitored intraocular pressure and undergoing MRI scans to observe changes in brain anatomy. These experiments aimed to provide insights into conditions such as spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). Jared Isaacman, the mission’s commander, highlighted the urgency of solving in-space health issues, particularly if humanity aims to expand space exploration to larger populations.
The Cyborg Experiment and Radiation Effects
Among the various experiments was the innovative ‘cyborg experiment’, which involved using contact lenses to gather long-duration data on eye pressure. These studies are essential for understanding how bodily fluids shift and affect eye pressure, contributing to conditions like SANS. Although initial observations didn’t report severe radiation exposure effects, Jared Isaacman noted perceiving “sparkles or lights” when closing his eyes, a phenomenon recorded by astronauts in high-radiation areas. The data obtained from these efforts will be crucial in addressing how prolonged space travel impacts human physiology.
Adaptation to Microgravity
Upon returning to Earth, Scott Poteet observed that his vision quickly returned to normal, although he encountered no space adaptation syndrome-related nausea, despite his susceptibility to motion sickness on Earth. Anna Menon, however, elaborated on the challenges posed by space adaptation syndrome in executing tasks. The mission also aimed to explore how medications like acetaminophen are processed differently in space, with blood samples taken before and after the journey. This research is essential for understanding physiological changes and preparing for future long-duration space missions.
Comprehensive Data Collection
The Polaris Dawn crew performed 36 experiments on behalf of 31 partner institutions, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of space on human health. MRI scans conducted before and immediately after the mission revealed changes in brain anatomy, such as upward shifts within the skull. Dr. Donna Roberts, a researcher, noted no concerning clinical findings but mentioned changes in brain ventricles, an intriguing aspect warranting further investigation.
Insights from Crew Members
Sarah Gillis, a SpaceX operations engineer, shared reflections on the mission’s impact on human physiology. The mission demonstrated the significant effects of fluid shifts during space travel, affecting bodily functions and highlighting the challenges of human spaceflight. Gillis commented, “Human spaceflight is not glamorous all the time,” emphasising the importance of comprehensive research to mitigate risks associated with space travel. Collecting robust data will be invaluable for future space missions.
The Path Forward for Space Exploration
The findings from Polaris Dawn pave the way for future space travel, focusing on overcoming health challenges associated with prolonged spaceflights. This mission underscores the necessity of robust health safeguards and informed preparations as humanity gears towards ambitious goals, such as habitation on Mars. The data and insights gathered are instrumental in advancing human space exploration.
The Polaris Dawn mission’s insights into the physiological impacts of space travel mark a significant step forward.
Understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial for the future of human space exploration.
