It takes six to nine months to get to Mars using traditional propulsion technology. Keeping astronauts happy and healthy for such long stretches in deep space would be no small feat, requiring lots of food, water and other consumables, as well as relatively large living spaces.
NASA-funded scientists are investigating ways to induce a hibernation state in astronauts. The work could help bring manned Mars missions closer to reality by making the journey to the Red Planet cheaper, safer and less taxing for crewmembers both psychologically and emotionally.
[John] Bradford’s team is trying to leverage and extend medical advances in therapeutic hypothermia, which seeks to prevent tissue damage during periods of low blood flow by lowering core body temperature.
For every drop of 1 degree Fahrenheit in body temperature, metabolic rate decreases by 5 to 7 percent, Bradford said. The researchers are aiming for a 10-degree drop during manned Mars missions, or a 50 to 70 percent reduction in metabolic rate.
“We’re not freezing anybody. It’s not cryopreservation; it’s closer to hibernation,” Bradford said. “So they’re still breathing, and they still need sustenance.” (Food and water would be delivered intravenously, he added.)
It’s not exactly the cryogenic sleep we were promised in Aliens or a hundred other Science-Fiction movies, but it’s a good start, I’ll give NASA that.
Via Space.com for the full article and additional graphics.
What happens to all of that food we are being fed intravenously?
A second tube, re-routed to the shell of spaceship to provide additional radiation shielding?
You would! Lol. Creative, I will give you that.
undoubtly the one woman won’t make it ,they never do in the movies
Unless you’re Sigourney Weaver, though.