What if You Were Born in Space?

TL;DR

Humans in space experience various changes in their bodies, including weakened bones and muscles, compromised immune systems, and potential vision problems.

Transcript

Hey, Vsauce. Michael here. How many people are in space right now dot com tells us that the answer is 6. Ever since the first person reached outer space 52 years ago, more than 500 humans have left Earth and they've gone as far as the moon, an impressive distance. I mean, space stations, which we use in outer space today are way cool, but to scale ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛰️ Space stations orbit relatively close to Earth, while the Moon is much farther away.
• 😀 Astronauts in the International Space Station experience zero-G, not the absence of gravity.
• 🥺 Weightlessness in space can impact fluid distribution in the body, leading to swelling and vision problems.
• ☠️ Long-term space travel poses risks to human health, including muscle and bone atrophy, compromised immune systems, and potential brain and vision problems.
• 👾 The effects of space on conception and development in humans are still largely unknown.
• ❓ Without the presence of gravity, bodily functions and bodily fluids behave differently.
• 💀 Radiation from the Sun and the cosmos poses a significant danger to astronauts, and protective measures are still being researched.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does weightlessness affect the human body in space?

Weightlessness in space can lead to motion sickness, visual illusions, and disorientation due to the confusion of fluid in the vestibular system. It can also result in muscle and bone atrophy, compromised immune systems, and vision problems.

Q: Can babies be conceived and developed in space?

The logistics of conceiving and developing babies in space are uncertain. Sperm cells swim faster in zero-G, but the enzyme responsible for stopping their movement in the reproductive system doesn't work well without gravity. The development of the vestibular system in babies in space could also be affected.

Q: How does space affect fluid distribution in the human body?

In space, without the pull of gravity, body fluids are free to evenly distribute. This can lead to fluid swelling in the face, compromising vision. Additionally, astronauts can lose up to 22% of their total blood volume in space.

Q: What are the potential long-term effects of space travel on the human body?

Long-term space travel can have significant effects on the human body, including weaker and atrophied muscles and bones, compromised immune systems, and potential brain and vision problems. The exact extent of these effects and their long-term implications are still being studied.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Space stations orbit around 100,000 meters above the Earth, where the atmosphere is thin and aircraft must travel at orbital speeds to achieve lift.

• Astronauts in the International Space Station experience zero-G, which is not the absence of gravity but rather a lack of weight due to falling while in orbit.

• Weightlessness in space affects the human body in various ways, such as the confusion of fluid in the vestibular system causing motion sickness and difficulties in conception and development.