Why Space Travel Isn’t Easy!

First, there’s muscular dystrophy. This simply means that astronaut’s muscles will slowly begin to deteriorate the more time they spend in outer space. The reason they do so is because they do not have any reason to be “working” constantly without gravity, therefore they dissolve themselves.

Not only would an astronaut lose his muscle mass, he’d also slowly lose bone mass! That’s right; bones thin from pro-longed space adventuring. This is because, just like the muscles, the bones have little to no use without gravity.

Next, we must address the not-so-little problem called the Van Allen Belts. Sounds like a funny name, friendly even – but it’s a very misleading title. The Van Allen Belts are radiation loops that envelope our planet. If any person or electronic were to pass through these without a large amount of protection it could spell disaster. These belts; which naturally protect our planet from outside radiation, are an elemental component of our magnetic sphere. Just one pass through a belt could cause radiation sickness, electronic failures, and even death in some circumstances.

Keep in mind; that’s just one potential problem! What else could go wrong you may be wondering now? Besides dodging radiation belts, NASA and other space programs need to know how to effectively evade solar flares. Solar flares are belts of radiation that the sun emits naturally every so often. These radioactive monsters don’t have too much effect on the earth because our atmosphere does a good job of protecting us for the most part. But when you’re out in space with little to no protection – only the hull of your ship, you’d best be avoiding solar flares. Flares can cause cancerous cell reproduction, radiation sickness, electronic failure, and even death. They are very similar in effect to the Van Allen Belts.

Now, after dodging all of these radiation belts, asteroids, and other satellites; you need to think about fuel limitations. There is only so much room for error as an average shuttle can only carry so much fuel; and there is no place in space to refuel (as of now) unless you have some kind of solar energy. So if you make too many errors dodging belts and other objects in space and run out of fuel; you’re dead meat – simply put.

Now, all the above was assuming that the astronauts even made it to space in the first place. Not only will they endure rigorous years of training and intense programs; but the g-forces alone are substantial to try to handle without the training. With forces ranging from 3 G’s to 9 G’s (88 meters per second

So after all is said and done, they head of to space with billions of dollars behind their back and a dream in their mind. Though this simple list cannot begin to do justice to the insurmountably large list of problems space presents us; it does present our current problems.

Timothy Frisch, a student of the University of Wisconsin – Stout; has been reading on Astrophysics, Quantum Physics, and Astronomy for years. His interests truly lie in Space Travel and the health threats it poses. He also writes regularly for ProbioticSmart.com, an amazing company dedicated to furthering the health of people all over the globe. ProbioticSmart.com carries a wide variety of Cosamin ASU Joint Health – a joint supplement for people with sore joints and muscles.

Published in Education, Health & Medicine