Long-Term Effects of Weightlessness

MartinBartinFargo writes "The Age has an article detailing the long-term effects of weightlessness on the human body. Stage 1 of the European Space Agency study involved 14 male volunteers spending 3 months carrying out all activities whilst lying on their backs, Stage 2 is currently underway. "

Comments

Whee!

[zulux]

the European Space Agency study involved 14 male volunteers spending 3 months carrying out all activities whilst lying on their backs,

Well, when the female volunteers start up, I'll be willing to help the poor things with whatever they need.

Long Live the Unbreakable Soviet Union

[RAMMS EIN]

I would suspect that the Russians know a thing or two about this, as they tend to keep their kosmonauts in space much longer than anyone else dares to. However, I can imagine a couple of reasons why they wouldn't be inclined to share their information; long-term weightlessness seems not to be very healthy, and the fact that they have exposed their people to those may not be good for their image.

---
Due to circumstances beyond your control, you are master of your fate
and captain of your soul.

This doesn't seem like a well designed study

[SuperCal]

I know that having the subjects lie on their backs is the best simulation of weightlessness over time, but it seems like a poor substitute. Their bodies are being stressed by gravity that would not be present in space. That difference could lead to either more of less 'health' over the long term. In low muscle exertion environments (I made that term up:), a little stress may increase bone degeneration or may be a catalyst for bone growth. I think the only way to get true results may be study people on the space station, which I believe is being done...

Strange...

[medcalf]

Did it not occur to them that there are platforms on which they could test the effects of prolonged weightlessness? Or that studies have been done, including similar lab studies. Oh, well.