On August 27, the world’s attention will be focused on NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as it prepares to launch a pioneering space mission.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is poised to launch the Dragon crew capsule, accompanied by four private astronauts, into orbit. The mission is scheduled to reach its optimal altitude within the realm of industrial spaceflight.
This mission will pioneer traversing perilous radiation belts surrounding our planet, with non-professional civilians taking on spacewalks instead of highly trained astronauts.
Meanwhile, the crew will closely track their overall wellness before, during, and after each flight, paying attention to factors such as eye and bone health, as well as cognitive function. What only a few days of space travel do to our bodies is astonishing – for instance, what happens to gene expression, how our immune systems adapt, and why familiar problems like eye strain and bone loss arise, despite the brief stay in space?
The biological data will be incorporated into a publicly accessible biobank, facilitating collaboration among researchers as they work towards developing treatments for patients embarking on both short-term space travel and extended excursions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.
The inaugural Polaris mission marks the first of three deliberate initiatives aimed at accelerating advancements in applied sciences and healthcare, ultimately paving the way for further exploration of space. Here’s what you should know:
Pushing Boundaries
Leading the mission is Jared Isaacman, a seasoned adventurer well-versed in space travel.
In 2021, he funded a historic first, the primary all-civilian mission to space. The study found that, with minimal training, an average individual can successfully navigate space travel, revealing a profound transformation of the human body after a brief stay in orbit.
Joining Isaacman on this historic journey is mission pilot Scott “Kidd” Poteet, a seasoned veteran with a distinguished career as a US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, alongside two experienced SpaceX personnel. At thirty, operations engineer Sarah Gillis stands out as the youngest member of the team, poised to join forces with Isaacman on a potentially historic spacewalk. Anna Menon, a seasoned mission specialist and medical officer, had spent seven years at NASA prior to her current role, where she honed her expertise in overseeing medical care from a mission management perspective.
The staff will spend five days inside the Dragon capsule, venturing 870 miles away from Earth – a feat unmatched since NASA’s Apollo era?
The spacecraft’s trajectory is set to pass through one of two perilous “circles” of intense radiation, areas where highly charged particles from the sun and other sources are trapped by Earth’s magnetic field. These regions are perilously vulnerable, as the particles can undoubtedly rupture through the protective capsule and inflict harm on the physical body. How can we protect astronauts from cosmic radiation to explore the universe?
Medication in House
Polaris Daybreak collaborated with a network of 31 institutions to investigate the comprehensive wellness outcomes associated with space travel. Experienced astronauts have undergone rigorous training for space travel over years, offering a rare opportunity to study the effects of microgravity on the health of an average space tourist.
Research in this area are typically collaborative efforts between NASA’s Human Analysis Program and the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH)? Led by the Baylor College of Medicine, the California Institute of Technology, and MIT, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) is a scientific consortium focused on determining how to safeguard astronauts’ health and well-being during deep space missions.
Spaceflight adjustments the physique. Astronauts conducting spacewalks may still need to make additional adjustments to ensure optimal performance of the spacecraft’s systems. One mission, building upon Inspiration 4, will collect organic samples from the crew, akin to an annual health check-up, at three distinct stages: prior to, during, and following the flight.
The processed samples will then be incorporated into the database, which combines the crew’s genetic makeup with gene expression adjustments—that is, which genes are activated or silenced—following exposure to the radiation belts.
Researchers will explore the implications of radiation and microgravity on various outcomes.
Scientists at TRISH will conduct a mission to investigate how radiation affects various bodily tissues, with the goal of verifying whether any changes persist or revert to normal upon returning to Earth. Previous studies have predominantly focused on astronauts’ prolonged stays aboard the International Space Station, a relatively short hop from Earth. At higher altitudes, Polaris Daybreak’s crew will be exposed to significantly increased levels of radiation. This breakthrough research has the potential to significantly reduce our exposure to radiation in the long run.
Another colleague will examine the portable ultrasound gadget referred to as. While not fully autonomous, this system shares similarities with futuristic medical pods, where timely diagnosis and treatment of unexpected health issues are crucial for space travel. The team will investigate the machine’s capabilities to leverage its potential uses, such as capturing high-quality images for medical purposes, including monitoring bladder function and tracking blood and bodily fluid levels.
This innovative technology will significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of extravehicular activities, making it an invaluable asset for astronauts during spacewalks. Unlike the Worldwide House Station, which has an airlock, Dragon does not have one either. When astronaut Isaacman and engineer Gillis embark on their extravehicular activity (EVA), all the capsules will suddenly jettison into the void of space. The rapid shift in pressure can precipitate potentially lethal circumstances, commonly referred to as decompression sickness or “the bends,” affecting scuba divers who ascend too hastily, allowing nitrogen gas bubbles to form in their bloodstream. A diagnostic device can potentially mitigate such hazardous scenarios.
Additional studies will focus on assessing bone density and fluid levels. Researchers at the University of Calgary’s College, in collaboration with Trish, have employed cutting-edge technology to conduct high-resolution scans of the wrist and ankle bones – key indicators of bone density and potential loss. If researchers confirm even slight changes, this study will mark the earliest-ever detection of space travel’s profound influence on bone health. Researchers at Dartmouth are currently investigating whether a person’s primary morning urine pattern can serve as an indicator of their overall bone and muscle health.
In microgravity, the effects of medications like Advil become unpredictable due to the unique fluid dynamics in space. Bodily fluids, intestinal function, and metabolic processes are significantly disrupted in space, resulting in unpredictable effects on the efficacy of medication. Researchers from the Polaris Daybreak team will investigate a range of commonly used substances, examining their effects on the local environment.
In the interim, staff members might also challenge themselves with a range of cognitive assessments. Conceived in collaboration with NASA, this innovative system comprises ten distinct challenges – akin to interactive experiences such as Wordle – designed for completion on a tablet device. These metrics specifically assess cognitive abilities relevant to space exploration. Exams vary in their assessment of each team member’s willingness to accept risk when faced with decision-making situations, assuming they are able to concentrate and process emotions in a healthy manner.
The risks are undeniable – the mission’s perilous nature leaves no room for ambiguity. During their upcoming spacewalk, Isaacman and Gillis will be conducting a crucial test of SpaceX’s innovative new extravehicular exercise swimsuit, designed to provide enhanced mobility without the need for life support assistance. The two astronauts will obtain all necessary oxygen and support via umbilicals attached to the Dragon spacecraft.
Nonetheless, the mission will likely enhance our organization’s capacity to effectively manage and leverage resources.
