The scientist spoke about the difficulties of traveling to Mars
Prolonged exposure to weightlessness causes a complex of physiological changes and can complicate the adaptation of astronauts to the conditions of other planets. After several months of flight, the body gets used to the absence of habitual gravity, so returning to the load, including on the surface of Mars, becomes a separate test, Alexander Belyavsky, professor of the Department 614 "Ecology, Life Support Systems and Life Safety" at the Institute No. 6 "Aerospace" of MAI, told Izvestia.
"If a person spends six months in zero gravity during a flight to Mars, then once on the surface of the planet, they will encounter an effect that is essentially a mirror image of falling into zero gravity. Getting used to the absence of gravity will make the perception of Martian gravity, albeit weakened compared to terrestrial gravity, a serious challenge," explained Belyavsky.
Weightlessness also leads to a redistribution of body fluids: blood moves from the extremities to the central part of the body and the head. In addition, during prolonged flight, muscles atrophy, the state of the musculoskeletal system changes, and bones become thinner and more fragile. According to the expert, the spine can stretch by 10-12 cm in zero gravity due to the unloading of the intervertebral discs.
Astronauts who spend more than a month in orbit experience the chronic effects of weightlessness and need constant medical monitoring. For long-range expeditions, Belyavsky noted, equipment will be required that allows the crew to independently solve emerging medical problems, including performing operations.
"With minimal medical equipment, the life support system, including medical and technical support, will make up 38% of the ship's mass. The rest is construction, fuel, engines and navigation," the specialist said.
Read more in the Izvestia article:
Earth in the porthole: what awaits man on Mars
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
