Top Highlights
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NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission, launching in March, will investigate astronaut fitness through the Zero T2 study, analyzing the health impacts of exercising without treadmills during long-duration spaceflights.
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Astronauts will be divided into three groups with varying workout regimens to evaluate how different exercise methods affect muscle performance, fitness, and recovery upon return to Earth.
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Additional studies, including CIPHER, will assess the overall effects of space travel on bodily systems, aiming to enhance understanding for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
- Research also focuses on mitigating spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome by testing a daily B vitamin supplement and thigh cuffs to manage fluid shifts in microgravity.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is set to launch in March. This four-person crew will focus on exercise and medical research, essential for long-duration space missions. As astronauts live and work aboard the ISS, they have access to various exercise equipment. This includes a weight-lifting system, a stationary bike, and a specialized treadmill known as the T2.
Currently, the ISS provides enough space for this bulky equipment. However, future missions beyond low Earth orbit may not offer the same luxury. Without large exercise machines, NASA faces a significant challenge. Researchers do not fully understand how workouts without a treadmill will affect astronauts’ health and motor skills. Therefore, NASA is changing training regimens, sometimes eliminating treadmill use. This strategy aims to maintain astronauts’ strength, fitness, bone health, and balance during extended missions.
The ongoing study called Zero T2 divides astronauts into three groups for exercise regimens. The first group continues using all available equipment, including the treadmill. The second group drops the treadmill and relies on the other machines. Lastly, a third group exercises on a new, compact workout device. NASA collects health data from each group to assess if the lack of treadmill use impacts fitness and recovery upon returning to Earth.
The insights gained from Zero T2 are vital. They will help researchers improve exercise protocols for future deep space missions. Moreover, findings could enhance workout devices that aid in preventing or treating health issues on Earth.
In addition to Zero T2, Crew-10 members will engage in several other important studies supported by NASA’s Human Research Program. These include medical exams and biological sample collection. Astronauts select studies based on their interests, ensuring engagement with the research process. Importantly, the CIPHER study will explore how the human body adjusts to different mission durations. By assessing vision, cognitive functions, and conducting MRI scans, researchers aim to understand the effects of prolonged space travel.
This comprehensive research includes monitoring changes in various bodily systems such as the eyes, bones, muscles, and the immune system. The CIPHER project promises invaluable data for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Additionally, some crew members will measure how the body adapts to space using Spaceflight Standard Measures and contribute samples for the Omics Archive study, examining molecular responses to spaceflight.
Another significant aspect of the research focuses on spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. This condition affects some astronauts, causing changes in the brain and swelling behind the eyes. Crew members will test potential treatments, including daily B vitamin supplements and thigh cuffs designed to manage fluid shifts.
Upon returning, astronauts will complete surveys to record any discomfort or injuries experienced during landing. This information, combined with data from onboard sensors, will help researchers improve spacecraft design and safety.
Astronauts prepare for these studies long before their missions, providing essential baseline health data. They continue contributing valuable information for two years after their return.
NASA’s Human Research Program is dedicated to exploring how spaceflight affects physical and mental well-being. Through extensive research, the program seeks methods to keep astronauts healthy. This exploration drives technological innovation, ensuring safe and productive missions as humanity ventures toward the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
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