ESA: 60 days in bed for aspirant astronauts

How would you feel when you are spending 60 days in bed continuously? You might never come across the need to spend your time in bed for 60 days unless you are injured or ill. However, astronauts will have to spend their time like that due to the nature of work that they have to do. European Space Agency wanted to stimulate an experiment to see how it would be like to spend 60 days in bed. This experiment is currently taking place. The results obtained from this experiment will provide a great overall assistance to the deep space missions, which will be taken place in the future.

We can see how this mission will take place on the 9th of September. The very first 12 men selected for the experiment will be going to bed for 60 days, starting from the 9th of September. This is done as a part of one of the most important researches. It will be able to understand the wasting effects that traveling in spaceflight can create in the human body. Based on data, it is possible to understand the results obtained.

Twelve men who will be going to bed for 60 days will be placing their feet up. Hence, it will not be a relaxing experience for them as well. On the other hand, they will have to spend their time on a bed, which is placed at an inclination of 6 degrees. Due to this inclination, the head will be placed at a lower position when compared to the body. Along with that, at least one shoulder will be touching the bed at any given time.

All the astronauts who go to space will have to experience losing the strength of muscles and bones. That’s because they are not using their muscles or bones while spending time in space. All bedridden people on planet earth will have to experience it as well.

ESA is currently organizing a variety of bedrest studies, which have different time durations. Both men, as well as women, are chosen for these experiments. They are conducted along with the cooperation of the DLR German Aerospace Center and MEDES French Center located in Toulouse. They have been able to get a better understanding of the counteracting symptoms associated with spaceflight as of now up to a certain extent. For example, they have noticed that spaceflight can create changes in the flow of blood. They have also understood that it can contribute to bone loss as well. However, they need lots more data to move forward with these experiments.

DLR is currently managing this study. It has also recruited the individuals who take part in the experiment as well. This experiment will take place in the astronaut center managed by ESA.

The scientific group of 12 individuals is planned to go through around 90 different experiments within this time duration of 60 days. At the end of 60 days, we will be able to learn lots of useful information about them as well. For example, we will be able to see how the insulin levels change in the body and how the cardiovascular system is responding to the changes. On the other hand, we will also be able to get a better understanding of the way how the brain is capable of functioning with upside-down rest that is provided. On top of that, it is possible to see how the simulated gravity will be able to create an impact on different organs of the body.

Two weeks before the 60-day experiment, the team is about to go through a series of tests as well. This will help the team to get a better understanding of the changes that are taking place in the body within 60-day duration.

In the meantime, Reactive Jumps is looking forward to developing an exercise machine, which the astronauts will be able to use. This machine will also be targeting muscle and bone coordination. Based on the outcomes of this experiment, we will be able to get a better understanding of the effectiveness of this exercise machine as well.

All the participants of this mission are healthy astronauts. However, they are willing to remove themselves from the day to day lives for a duration of 60 days. The team is highly committed to achieving positive results within the time duration as well. They will be unsung heroes who will immensely contribute towards the future of outer space explorations. They will also be provided with little privacy during the 60 days as they will be monitored constantly. They are doing all those in the name of science.