Challenges faced by an Astronaut after landing on Earth
December 15, 2022
By: Eraj Zehra
Space
travel seems to be a dream to ordinary people but for astronauts, it is one of
the most emerging aspects in 21st century. NASA is trying their best
to turn this dream into a reality and they did it several multiple times. Elon
Musk also indicated the advancement in space exploration by stating: “I think
we are at the dawn of a new era in commercial space exploration”. However, a
coin has two sides just like this space travel sounds really fascinating but
there are several challenges associated with it. Most common one is the
difficulty to walk after landing on Earth.
Picture 1: Space Travel
But what exactly are the risks?
Since, there
is a vacuum in space so a microgravity environment is being created, which is
not tolerated by human body.
Balance Issues:
As
portrayed in the movie(wall-E) as well, that when human community returned to
Earth after years from space, they were struggling a lot in standing, balancing
and walking so this was majorly due to a direct effect of microgravity on
otolith organs that are responsible in maintaining a perfect, healthy balance
and coordination. Readjustment of otolith organs, according to the planet’s gravitational
pull may take a few days.(source)
Scott Kelly’s struggle in walking on Earth:
An astronaut, Scott Kelly who lived in space for almost a year and faced difficulty in learning how to walk again as unlike space we know where is up and where is down, on Earth. He slowly got up and tripped multiple times as if his legs were made of jelly.(source)He further described his feeling by saying; “Most of the health problems aren't symptomatic, you can't sense your own bone mass. I had soreness, stiffness, some bone loss and a bit of muscle loss. I had some swelling and an increase in my inner cranial pressure." (source)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIgMXGAGTgM
Video : Scott Kelly
Bone Loss:
Constant
floating of human body, due to an absence of gravity causes the loss of bone by
1% a month hence, astronauts’ bones are not called for as hard as they use
to do on Earth leading to an un evitable change in the amount of bone. Loss of
bones further results in loss of calcium as there is a whole calcium storage
camp in our bones preventing its breaking but since, a very less amount of bone
is left in an astronauts’ body, there bones begin to break making them weaker and
exposing them to an increased risk of injuries and fractures, on Earth.(source)
In In “Martian”, it was illustrated that Watney’s teeth
were dropping off so this was majorly included to depict that the loss of
calcium from his body caused the falling of his teeth.
Muscle Loss:
Similarly, in “Martian” Watney
lost a lot of weight and a significant loss of muscle mass was witnessed in the
movie. This is due to the fact that on Earth we use anti-gravity muscles to
support ourselves against the force of gravity while, in a microgravity
environment there is very little movement of these anti-gravity muscles such as
of back, neck and calf. (source)
As compared to what Watney’s body looked in the
beginning of the movie was completely an opposite of what it became in the end,
when he returned to Earth there was a significant loss of his bicep muscle mass
converging to an idea explained above.
Cardiovascular System:
Without gravity, blood is not pulled down towards the
feet thus, resulting in the shift of fluids from legs to the upper part of the
body within a few minutes. Whereas, on Earth this system makes sure that there
is no pooling of blood in the legs. However, have you thought that what happens
to the size of heart? Then an answer to this is an observance of heart shrinkage
despite of indulging in low-intensity workouts.
After returning back on Earth, Chris started with his regular 2-hour exercise session at gym which is an effective way to regain the lost balance and coordination in terms of walking again normally. Likewise, decreased bone density will probably take approximately 3-4 months in adjusting with the gravity again. (source)
What ways are adapted by an astronaut in order to maintain a less
challenging survival in such a microgravitational environment?
According to me, the most important of all is
the high-intensity resistance workout that can prevent bone and muscle loss.
But how is it possible? It is possible through the help of Advanced Resistive
Exercise Device (ARED), present in the space station. Moreover, I want to put a
huge emphasis on diet as well, a well- balanced diet containing an adequate
amount of calcium, minerals and vitamins preventing shortage of calcium and
other vital substances.
In “Martian”, Watney survived his time period
on potatoes as a main source of food which according to me contradicts with
some nutritional concepts like potato cannot fulfill all the requirements of a
body because it lacks vitamin A, D and E resulting in rickets, anemia and nerve
damage. Though it is a great source of vitamin C and B but cannot be relied upon
for a healthy survival in space.
Picture 7: Growth of potatoes
Ending with a meme, I found really funny and interesting so thought of adding it here.
Work Cited
“3 Reasons Why Astronauts
Can't Walk after Landing on Earth.” StarLust, 11 Aug. 2022,
https://starlust.org/why-astronauts-cant-walk-after-landing-on-earth/. Accessed
on 13 December 2022.
Canadian Space Agency.
“Update on Chris Hadfield's Condition.” Canadian Space Agency, /
Gouvernement Du Canada, 31 May 2013,
https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/expedition34-35/whats-new/health.asp.
Accessed on 13 December 2022.
Canadian Space Agency.
“What Happens to Bones in Space?” Canadian Space Agency, / Gouvernement
Du Canada, 18 Aug. 2006,
https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/space-medicine/bones.asp. Accessed on
13 December 2022.
Canadian Space Agency.
“What Happens to Muscles in Space?” Canadian Space Agency, /
Gouvernement Du Canada, 18 Aug. 2006,
https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/space-medicine/muscles.asp. Accessed
on 13 December 2022.
Potenza, Alessandra. “Watch
Astronaut Scott Kelly Struggle to Walk on Earth after a Year in Space.” The
Verge, 28 Oct. 2017,
https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/28/16549898/scott-kelly-pbs-exclusive-clip-year-in-space-walking-problems-zero-gravity.
Accessed on 13 December 2022.
“Space Travel: Here's What
Happens to the Human Body.” BBC News, BBC, 10 Jan. 2018, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-42627341.
Accessed on 13 December 2022.
Sources for Images
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P Picture 2:
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Picture 4:
https://cdn.surfnetkids.com/resources/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/human-heart-1024x768.jpg
Picture 5:
Picture 6:
Picture 7:
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