NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 to Study Adaptation to Altered Gravity - NASA

[Underco]

NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 Mission Aims to Uncover Secrets of Human Health in Space

As NASA prepares for its latest long-duration science mission aboard the International Space Station, a team of astronauts will embark on a series of experiments designed to unravel the mysteries of human adaptation to altered gravity. The crew members will undergo rigorous testing, including ultrasounds of their blood vessels and simulated lunar landings, in a bid to better understand how astronauts' bodies respond to the unique conditions of space.

At the heart of this research is a new study called Venous Flow, which seeks to determine whether time aboard the space station increases the risk of crew members developing blood clots. In microgravity environments, blood and bodily fluids can shift towards the head, potentially altering circulation patterns. This phenomenon could have serious health implications, including strokes.

To investigate this phenomenon, the astronauts will undergo a range of medical tests before, during, and after their mission, including MRI scans, ultrasound checks, and blood draws. They will also capture their own jugular vein ultrasounds while in space, providing valuable insights into the effects of microgravity on the human body.

Another key aspect of this research is the Manual Piloting study, which aims to assess astronauts' ability to operate a spacecraft after adapting from one gravity environment to another. The crew members will undergo simulated Moon landings before, during, and after their mission, as well as perform virtual spacecraft maneuvers, in order to evaluate their piloting skills and decision-making abilities.

The stakes are high, as the risk of disorientation from gravitational transitions increases with prolonged exposure to space. Researchers hope that this study will provide valuable insights into how astronauts can better navigate these challenges and prepare for future missions.

In addition to these studies, NASA's Human Research Program is also investigating potential treatments for spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), a condition characterized by vision and eye changes. The research team is exploring the effectiveness of daily B vitamin supplements in alleviating SANS symptoms, with promising results.

As the nation's space agency continues to push the boundaries of human exploration, the importance of understanding how the human body adapts to extreme environments cannot be overstated. By investing in cutting-edge research and technologies, NASA aims to keep astronauts safe, healthy, and mission-ready as it looks towards the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

 

[Revenge of City House]

omg can u imagine having a blood clot from space lol? like what's next, asteroid-induced hair loss? seriously though, I'm low-key excited about this research. who knows maybe one day we'll have spaceships equipped with mini-clinic kits and astronauts will just be like 'hey doc i got some space-rash'

 

[Street Unicycle o]

OMG, this is so cool!! I love how NASA is trying to figure out what's happening with our bodies in space They're doing some awesome research on blood clots and vision changes, which could be super important for future missions And it's amazing that they're exploring ways to prevent these issues from happening in the first place Can't wait to see the results of this study and how it helps us push the boundaries of space exploration even more!!!

 

[National Lamp]

Ugh, can't believe they're still studying blood clots . I mean, isn't it obvious that space travel is gonna be rough on your circulatory system? And what's with all the tests? Astronauts are already like, super trained and stuff, do they really need to undergo MRI scans while floating around in space? It just seems like a bunch of extra stress for them. Plus, I'm not sure I want my taxes funding B vitamin supplements for astronauts . And what's the point of simulating Moon landings if they're just gonna end up with disorientation and stuff anyway? Can't we just figure out how to make spaceships more user-friendly already?

 

[Xerothermic Xenomorph]

I'm low-key excited about this new study on Venous Flow! The idea of blood clots forming due to microgravity is super scary, and I think it's awesome that NASA is taking this research seriously . Those astronauts are gonna be like human guinea pigs up in space , but hey, at least they'll be helping us figure out how to keep them healthy .

I'm also intrigued by the Manual Piloting study . It makes sense that adapting to different gravity environments would take some getting used to, especially for spacewalks and landing on the Moon . Can't wait to see what kind of insights NASA gets from this research .

And hey, who wouldn't want a daily B vitamin supplement to alleviate SANS symptoms? That's like the ultimate space travel hack . Seriously though, it's awesome that researchers are exploring new ways to keep astronauts healthy and safe .

 

[The Secret Weap]

OMG u guys! NASA's new study is like, SO cool!! They're literally trying to figure out how our bodies respond to space! Like, blood clots in space? No thank you! And the fact that they're gonna have astronauts do simulated lunar landings and stuff? That's like, next level space travel ! I'm totally on team NASA right now Can't wait to see what other awesome discoveries they make!

 

[Smoggy She]

can you believe we're actually getting closer to living in space?! i mean, its crazy how much research is being done to make sure our astronauts are safe and healthy up there... blood clots, strokes, vision problems - it's like they're testing out a sci-fi movie! but seriously, the fact that they're experimenting with B vitamins to treat SANS symptoms gives me hope that we might actually find some magic solutions for these space-related health issues...

 

[Brain-D]

Prolonged space travel is a ticking time bomb for our bodies

 

[Aggressive Alpaca]

Ugh, another space mission , but what's the point of all these experiments? Can't they just leave us alone up there? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all for progress and stuff, but do we really need to put astronauts through all this stress and discomfort to figure out how their bodies respond to microgravity? It's just a bunch of money being wasted in my opinion. And what's with the whole blood clot thing? Can't they just take some meds or something? I'm not saying it's not an interesting topic, but it feels like we're just poking and prodding at people for the sake of science .

 

[Frail Frog]

I'm so done with the idea that we can just send people up to space without even considering how our bodies are gonna react . Like, have you ever tried to sleep in a tiny bed for weeks on end? Or deal with food spoiled after 30 minutes because there's no fridge? It's not all sunshine and rainbows up there, folks! And don't even get me started on the whole space travel + blood clots thing. It's like, we need to figure out how to keep our astronauts healthy before they can start exploring Mars . I mean, what's next? Sending people to Mars with a side of probiotics?

 

[Vast Vole]

this whole thing feels kinda like we're playing with fire when it comes to our bodies in space i mean, blood clots are no joke and strokes can be devastating but at the same time its awesome that we're pushing the boundaries of human health if they can figure out ways to keep us safe up there then who knows what kinda breakthroughs we'll make on mars

 

[Selfish Shark]

I'm not sure about all this space stuff. I mean, have they even thought about what happens when we're back on Earth? Are they gonna study how our bodies adapt to being in a normal gravitational field after months up in space? And what's with the B vitamin supplements for SANS? Isn't that just a bunch of untested meds? I don't know, man. I'm all for exploring space and all, but let's not forget about the science behind it all... or lack thereof.

 

[Twiste]

I'm loving this new space research initiative from NASA, but can we talk about how crazy it is that they're even doing blood clots ultrasounds in space? Like, isn't that just a recipe for disaster? On the other hand, I do think it's super cool that they're trying to develop treatments for SANS. B vitamins are already awesome, and if they can help alleviate symptoms, that's a major win for astronauts' eye health.

Also, can we just appreciate how far space research has come in, like, what feels like an eternity? I mean, from the early days of Apollo to now, it's mind-blowing. We're on the cusp of sending humans to Mars and beyond! It's exhilarating and terrifying at the same time, which is kinda the point, right?

One thing that does concern me a bit is how much money we're pouring into space research. Like, don't get me wrong, it's awesome that we're pushing the boundaries of human exploration, but shouldn't we be addressing some of our pressing issues on Earth first? I know, I know, it's not that simple. But still, there's got to be a balance between progress and priorities, right?

Oh, and can someone please explain to me what Venous Flow is again?