NeurAstra
S02 → Altanube Pando
S06 → Nimbus.Archives
S07 → N400
S08 → AofAP
Life Without Gravity
COSMIC CONNECTIONS I
Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that pulls objects with mass toward each other. This force is what causes objects to fall to the ground when dropped and keeps celestial bodies, such as planets, stars, and moons, in their orbits. The force of gravity is described by Isaac Newton’s law of universal gravitation, which states that every point mass attracts every other point mass by a force acting along the line intersecting both points. The strength of this gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centres. This relationship explains why gravity is stronger when objects are closer together and when they have larger masses.
On Earth, gravity has played a crucial role in shaping the evolution and development of life. From the structure of our bones and muscles to the circulation of blood in our bodies, gravity’s influence is pervasive and profound. Indeed, the force of gravity has been a constant presence throughout the history of life on Earth, guiding the adaptation and survival of organisms. Plants grow with their roots anchored in the soil and their stems reaching upwards towards the light, a phenomenon known as gravitropism. Animals, including humans, have developed skeletal and muscular systems that enable movement and support against the pull of gravity. Our cardiovascular system too is designed to counteract gravity, ensuring that blood reaches all parts of our body efficiently.
Understanding gravity’s role is vital because its effects on organisms are significant, particularly concerning human physiology. Prolonged exposure to microgravity, as experienced by astronauts and cosmonauts in space, can lead to muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and fluid shifts within the body. These changes pose serious challenges to human health and performance during long-duration space missions. With the advent of ambitious space exploration programs aimed at returning to the Moon and travelling to Mars, it is crucial to deepen our understanding of microgravity’s impact and develop effective countermeasures.
Research conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) and through terrestrial analogues helps scientists study the physiological effects of microgravity. These studies inform the creation of strategies to mitigate the negative impacts on space travellers, such as specialised exercise regimens and nutritional plans. By exploring these countermeasures, we not only prepare for future space exploration but also gain insights that can improve health and medicine on Earth and enrich our knowledge of life on our home planet.
Cosmic Connections:
“Life Without Gravity”
Programme
Date: 19.01.2024 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Venue: Roca, Alp (Cerdanya)
Speakers: J. Bonet Pons / C. Richard / F. Schueller
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Welcome Coffee/Surprise (in-person attendees only)
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM: Opening Remarks
- Welcome by the NeurAstra team
- Overview of the day’s schedule and themes
Session 1: Evolution and Development of Organisms with Terrestrial Gravity Field
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM: “The Role of Gravity in Biological Evolution”
- Overview of how Earth’s gravity has influenced the evolution and development of organisms.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: “Gravity’s Impact on Plant Growth and Development”
- Discussion on how plants have adapted to terrestrial gravity.
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM: Coffee Break
Session 2: Challenges of Space Exploration for Humans and Living Organisms
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM: “Living in Microgravity: Challenges and Adaptations”
- Exploration of the physiological and psychological challenges faced by humans in space.
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM: “Microgravity’s Effects on Microorganisms”
- Examination of how bacteria and other microorganisms behave in space and review of the ongoing experiments.
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch Break
Session 3: Research in Terrestrial Analogue Environments
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM: “Creating Microgravity: Understanding the Impact of Microgravity on Human Physiology”
- Focus on head-down tilt bed rest and dry immersion studies.
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM: “Low Gravity Platforms for Ground-Based Research”
- Review of the different and complementary platforms available to conduct experiments (drop towers/parabolic flights/...).
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM: Coffee Break
Session 4: Designing for Microgravity
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM: “Life in Space: Habitats and Daily Life”
- Discussion on the crucial innovations in designing habitats and tools for prolonged space missions.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: WORKSHOP “Designing Everyday Items for Space: The ISS Experience”
- Interactive session to design specific elements for use aboard the ISS.
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM: “Future Directions in Space Research”
- Exploring future trends and directions in space research and the design of space environments.
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks
Further Readings:
- M-A. Custaud, G. Gauquelin-Koch, S. Blanc, C. Gharib (Editors) — L’humain & l’espace: ses adaptations physiologiques
- Ivan Gontcharov — Oblomov
- Bernd Brunner — The Art of Lying Down: A Guide to Horizontal Living
- ESA — A World Without Gravity (PDF)
AFTER THE EVENT
Cosmic Connections
In Pictures
© NeurAstra — Flight over Baixa Cerdanya
We want to thank all the participants for attending this first edition of Cosmic Connections. It was an absolute pleasure to meet space enthusiasts from Spain, France, and the UK in person and think together about the place humans occupy in LEO.
See you at the next Cosmic Connections!
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This project is related to the following NeurAstra System:
(S01) Blue Dot/White Tangerine