Bengaluru: Researchers from University of Sassari, Italy, who are visiting India as part of the Italian Space Day, discussed topics revolving around sustaining human life in space at Bangalore Science Gallery here.
Prof Plinio Innocenzi, Alessia Manca and Andrada Pica focused on aerospace materials, avionics, astrobiology and human performance analysis in simulated gravity. Pointing out that exposure to altered gravity environments can lead to significant physiological changes for astronauts, Pica said for instance, alteration in the neuro-vestibular system can cause vestibular disorders and space motion sickness.
In the nervous system, there could be damage at the tissue level. Cardiovascular dysfunction can cause heart atrophy, vascular and cardiac alterations. Regarding muscle atrophy, there could be a 5% to 10% decrease in muscle size and a 20% decrease in muscle strength, she added.
Speaking about challenges in deep space exploration and colonisation of the Moon and Mars, Prof Innocenzi said that even in the highly controlled environment, characterised by microgravity, increased CO2 levels and elevated solar radiation, microorganisms occupy a unique niche.
Microbial inhabitations play a key role in influencing health and well-being of humans on the spacecraft, he said.