I would have thought that lowering the metabolic rate would increase the harm from radiation, same amount of radiation but depressed bodies ability to repair radiation damage.
Personally, I would rather stay awake. I don't need much space.
Same here! Why would I want to give up six months of my life to sleep? As long as I have a laptop and I can use it to code, read, and watch old movies, I'll be happy. Also, I'd spend a part of every day thinking, "Wow, I'm really in space, on my way to Mars!" -- wouldn't want to miss out on a day of that.
Hibernation and Torpor in Mammals and Birds (Charles P. Lyman, Academic Press 1983) Link.p. 203 indicates hibernation may be radioprotective.OTOH, this Nature article speculates about gene thetapies that may mitigate radiation damage,http://www.nature.com/gt/journal/v6/n9/full/3301005a.htmlAnd DARPA has come up with a mixture of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and antibiotics that increases the survival from acute radiation syndrome if taken within 12 hrs of exposure,http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2012/01/04.aspx
Quote from: Robotbeat on 02/23/2014 03:05 pmPersonally, I would rather stay awake. I don't need much space.Same here! Why would I want to give up six months of my life to sleep? As long as I have a laptop and I can use it to code, read, and watch old movies, I'll be happy. Also, I'd spend a part of every day thinking, "Wow, I'm really in space, on my way to Mars!" -- wouldn't want to miss out on a day of that.
I am also a doctor and fear that the complications associated with lowered body temperature currently outweigh risks. For one, the breathing tube has a balloon that can cause ischemia from prolonged use. The astronauts would need tracheotomies to prevent this and I bet they would rather just be awake.
Quote from: ChrisWilson68 on 02/24/2014 11:02 pmSame here! Why would I want to give up six months of my life to sleep? As long as I have a laptop and I can use it to code, read, and watch old movies, I'll be happy. Also, I'd spend a part of every day thinking, "Wow, I'm really in space, on my way to Mars!" -- wouldn't want to miss out on a day of that.Same here besides the mission can perform some science along the way.
As for movies they don't even have to be old ones as new media can be transmitted to the spacecraft at any time.
It certainly would be a less boring experience then early ocean voyages or 19th century polar expeditions.
I am also a doctor and fear that the complications associated with lowered body temperature currently outweigh risks. For one, the breathing tube has a balloon that can cause ischemia from prolonged use. The astronauts would need tracheotomies to prevent this and I bet they would rather just be awake.Torpor is more difficult the larger the mammal. A more realistic way to reduce basal metabolic rate would be extreme calorie restriction. On 500 calories per day astronauts would be somewhat protected from radiation as all cellular processes slow down. Also, less provisions required. Calorie restriction should be evaluated on iss to prove out radiation protective affects prior to hibernation/coma induction.
Not that much. Basically some medical science relating to be in interplanetary space (mainly radiation related), and most of that won't require much in the way of active involvement of the crew and passengers.
I was thinking even going as far as including a space telescope on the mission similar to the ATM on Skylab.it would need to be much lighter but a fairly capable interment could be had for only a few hundred kg.This could be used for solar observations which would add one more warning for solar storms, looking at passing NEOs and surface observation of Mars.I know it's redundant but it would be a minor increase in cost and mass.
Quote from: Patchouli on 02/26/2014 08:29 pmI was thinking even going as far as including a space telescope on the mission similar to the ATM on Skylab.it would need to be much lighter but a fairly capable interment could be had for only a few hundred kg.This could be used for solar observations which would add one more warning for solar storms, looking at passing NEOs and surface observation of Mars.I know it's redundant but it would be a minor increase in cost and mass.A telescope to look back at earth would be a good booster of crew morale as well, IMO
Though it's not like keeping potatoes in a crisper they'll need a lot of hands on care in that state.