The changes of the astronaut when returning to Earth

When two astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams are about to return to Earth after 9 months of “trapped” on the ISS station, they can experience many physical changes.

 

Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams on the ISS station. Image: NPR

On March 14, NASA and SpaceX delivered Crew-10 tasks to the International Space Station to bring the astronauts back after their 8-day mission lasted into 9 months due to the incident of Boeing Starliner. Although the longest record of the universe belongs to the Russian astronaut Valeri Polyakov with 437 consecutive days on the MIR station, most of the long -term mission in the space only lasts up to 6 months, according to the maximum. Guardian. Astronauts will experience some changes when returning to Earth.

Gravity

The lack of gravity environment makes the condition of reducing serious bone density cannot be recovered. It also causes muscles to shrink at the hands, thighs, stems and other places, including the heart. Due to no need for blood pump to cope with the impact of gravity, the heart has less effort. The volume of blood decreases and the blood flow changes, slowly flowing in some areas, which can lead to blood clots.

According to Alan Duffy, astrophysicist at Swinburne University, when astronaut was in space, liquid accumulated in their heads, so they felt as if they were cold. Their sense of smell is also less sensitive. Duffy commented that it could be a good thing after two decades of ISS stations constantly living and no windows opened.

When returning to Earth, the astronauts will likely feel as if they finally escape the cold of 9 months. They will have difficulty traveling, easily dizzy and have traction due to the accumulation of liquids that change the shape of the eyeball. This is why you often see astronaut wearing glasses on the ISS station even though they initially have perfect vision. This situation will return to normal, although they may need to wear glasses for the rest of their lives, according to Duffy.

“The brain is flooded,” said Professor Meng Law, Director of X-ray and neuroscience at Monash University. That is the reason for the Russian astronauts with a slightly similar device to help absorb liquid and blood out of the head.

Currently, SpaceX and NASA are developing centrifuges that astronaut can sleep inside, helping to push the liquid out. When they return to Earth, their recovery process will be similar to the physiotherapy activity that anyone who once awakens after a coma experienced, according to Duffy. It is also very tiring, which can contribute to the physiological impact of the journey back, according to Brad Tucker, Astronomers at Australian National University.

Because most of the research has been based on 6 -month tasks, Wilmore and Williams are particularly interesting for doctors and scientists. Another unexpected challenge is that the clothes floating on the skin will make the astronaut’s skin become sensitive as a baby’s skin. When returning to Earth, some astronauts will feel their clothes are like sandpaper.

Radiation

Perhaps the most dangerous effect when in the long -term time in the universe is radiation exposure, which can increase the risk of cancer. The atmosphere of the earth and the magnetic field protects us from the high amount of radiation. But in the universe, people do not have that protective layer. Astronauts in space are not only exposed to more radiation on Earth, but the radiation they contact may set more risks.

According to NASA, the astronaut is exposed to 3 radiation sources, including the stuck particles in the Earth’s magnetic field, high energy seeds from the sun and the cosmic ray. The American National Cosmic Weather Predicting Center of the National Ocean Management Department and atmosphere describes this as a source of high energy grains that often flush down the Earth from outside the solar system, which is likely to be formed by explosive events such as the supernova explosion.

Scientists are seeking to protect astronaut from space radiation in the process of preparing to take people to the moon and Mars for a long time. Because the astronaut often has no obligation to participate in the study after retirement, experts know very little about how radiation affects them at the end of life. Therefore, Williams and Wilmore, who are about to retire, can provide useful research data in this field.

Psychological influence

When the astronauts return to Earth, the mood of anxiety and stress is inevitable due to its long -term conditions for such a long time. Williams and Wilmore can undergo a “overview effect” when seeing the curve of the Earth from above and feel the special cohesion to humanity. A few people after going through this effect will feel interested in the surrounding environment and want to change it more.

Returning to Earth, the astronaut will face a great psychological shock when returning to normal life such as “making breakfast, driving to work”. This is a huge conversion that they need to overcome when returning.

By Editor

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