Space Exploration
Vaughn 1
Caleb Vaughn
Joiner
2nd Pd English
2/20/14
Space Exploration
Space Exploration is an interesting part of today’s society. There are kids across the world with lifelong dreams of becoming an astronaut. Although many may think space exploration is a great thing and we should keep progressing in it, space exploration is a waste of time because of the medical effects to crew members, the countless money we spend on it, the environmental effects, and the dangers of the unknown universe.
The medical effects space exploration has on crew members in space are endless. First the crew members’ prolonged exposure to reduced gravity environments can cause bone loss, increased loss of bone materials, increased chances for renal stoners and is factor in possible post mission bone fractures. Then there are Sensorimotor disturbances that occur during adaptation to spaceflight and during preadaptation to gravity on planetary surfaces. These changes can impact control of vehicles and impair functional performance during the important phase of adaptation to novel gravitational environmental. Crew members can also experience muscle effects with their exposure to reduced gravity causes muscle fibers to shrink leaving astronauts weaker and less coordinated. Beyond Low Earth Orbit, the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetosphere are no longer available (NASA). Space radiation may place the crew at significant risk for radiation sickness, and increased lifetime risk for cancer, central nervous
Vaughn 2
system effects, and degenerative diseases. Spaceflight associated immune dysregulation persists during exploration flights in conjunction with other factors such as high energy radiation. It is unclear if this leads to an increased susceptibility to cancer, infectious disease, allergy/hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. One may ask about the efforts taken to reduce these risks, and make the case that The CSRR (Center for Space
Caleb Vaughn
Joiner
2nd Pd English
2/20/14
Space Exploration
Space Exploration is an interesting part of today’s society. There are kids across the world with lifelong dreams of becoming an astronaut. Although many may think space exploration is a great thing and we should keep progressing in it, space exploration is a waste of time because of the medical effects to crew members, the countless money we spend on it, the environmental effects, and the dangers of the unknown universe.
The medical effects space exploration has on crew members in space are endless. First the crew members’ prolonged exposure to reduced gravity environments can cause bone loss, increased loss of bone materials, increased chances for renal stoners and is factor in possible post mission bone fractures. Then there are Sensorimotor disturbances that occur during adaptation to spaceflight and during preadaptation to gravity on planetary surfaces. These changes can impact control of vehicles and impair functional performance during the important phase of adaptation to novel gravitational environmental. Crew members can also experience muscle effects with their exposure to reduced gravity causes muscle fibers to shrink leaving astronauts weaker and less coordinated. Beyond Low Earth Orbit, the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetosphere are no longer available (NASA). Space radiation may place the crew at significant risk for radiation sickness, and increased lifetime risk for cancer, central nervous
Vaughn 2
system effects, and degenerative diseases. Spaceflight associated immune dysregulation persists during exploration flights in conjunction with other factors such as high energy radiation. It is unclear if this leads to an increased susceptibility to cancer, infectious disease, allergy/hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. One may ask about the efforts taken to reduce these risks, and make the case that The CSRR (Center for Space
Cited: Amadeo, Kimberly. How Much Does NASA Cost? 17 January 2014. Web. 19 February 2014. Ann R. Kennedy, D.Sc. Radiation Effects. 2010. Web. 19 February 2014 . "Chapters III and IV." Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1986. 157336. Book Section. Rodrigue, Dr. JeanPaul and Dr. Claude Comtois. Transportation and Energy. 2014. Web. 19 February 2014.