Living and non-living object on earth are used to gravity or the gravitational force. But what about the living objects in space? What about the astronomers, who visit space, what happens to their cells and tissues? It is very well known that gravity is responsible for causing attraction between the masses, and for large objects like planets, it creates tangible attractions.
According to Phys.org, the first manned space missions completely changed the thinking of scientists on the effect of gravity on biological systems. Now, scientists are working on finding the effect on human's physiology, in a condition of lack of gravity. Space is a microgravity environment and when astronomers are sent to space, they have something happening inside their bodies due to lack of gravity.
Observations from the scientists state that astronomers who went to space were returned as taller in height. They had reduced bone and muscle mass. Keeping this observation in mind, scientists are now doing a research by comparing blood and tissue samples from the animals as well as the astronauts before and after space travel. This study is being done for assessing the impact of gravity on physiology.
UCLA Newsroom states that there are already some past reports regarding the cells and body systems when affect by the lack of gravity or which can be called microgravity. For example, astronauts who return from space have learning difficulties, because of the increased pressure in the brain. Bone and muscle mass gets reduced at the rate of 1 percent bone loss per month. Immunity system gets affected and weakens the functions of T-cells.
NASA and other space agencies are working on this research to investigate what exactly happens to cells and tissues in space in the lack of gravity so that proper strategies can be prepared for the astronomers to be sent for long distance space travels. Various methods are being researched by NASA such as adding supplements or adding probiotics to the space food, vigorous exercise for the astronomers etc.
Earlier days, the challenge for scientists was to overcome gravity for sending a rocket out of the earth and now the new challenge is offsetting the physiological effect in the lack of gravity or gravitational force. This is planned especially for long space flights.
