Long space missions 'may damage eyesight'

This article talks about the effects that long times in space can have. Although it was already known that the weightless environment outside of Earth's atmosphere can cause loss of bone density and muscle wastage, new reasearch is finding that spending time in space can cause damage to eyesight. The astronauts examined spent a minimum of thirty days in space and some were found to have expansion of the cerebral spinal fluid surrounding the optic nerve, bulging of the optic nerve, flattening of the eyeball, and in some a change in the pituitary gland. Although the health of astronauts in space is monitored very carefully, and trips is restricted to six months maximum, these new findings raise more concern over the safety of space travel. Knowing the prior health concerns associated with space travel, with this new additions what does this mean for space travel and research? Could future missions be cancelled in concern of health? Unless a solution can be found to protect astronauts, will travel to other planets be forgotten (would take over a year to travel to and from Mars)? And would it ever be possible for humans to live on another planet?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17354304

With the highly technical spacesuits that astronauts wear, I personally did not even consider the possibility or injury occuring to astronauts. As Suzanne mentioned, studies that raise health concerns regarding space travel could lead to the cancellation of space missions and destroy the hope of humans ever landing on other planets. However, today, with researchers and developers from space stations such as NASA working hard to propel the idea of humans in space, I believe that technology will eventually be developed to continue the study of what lies beyond our planet. And even if humans entering space for long term missions is simply considered to be too dangerous, then there are surely other ways for space professionals to continue researching from the safety of the Earth with the help of probes and other spacial technologies.

It seems to me that this is just another one of the many obstacles that we must overcome to be in space. It’s slightly frightening that this was just discovered because of all the people we’ve sent into space have been potentially harmed by this discovery that before we did not know was a concern. Personally I believe much more research needs to be found about the risks and safety of being in space, if we are to think of further expansion in space, this article is a step towards this. Especially if we every plan to send someone to Mars, like briefly mentioned in the article, further research must be obtained so that we can in every way possible protect the safety of these people in space. This article is really a step towards advancements in the future towards the development of sending people to space, and this risks that come with this.

As Nina mentioned, it is frightening that these effects of space travel have just been found especually because of the numerous people who have travelled to space. However, as she also said, much more research needs to be put into the risks and safety of being in space. Despite the negative effects of this new discovery and the chance that it may faulter future space travels, I believe we need to do the opposite. Although putting human health at risk the only way to discover other health concerns is to continue travelling to space and to continue monitoring the health of astronauts as well as doing research on their health when they return to Earth. With the help of technology and continued research I am confident that one day we will be able to overcome many of the health concerns associated with space travel; maybe through new medications or new protective equiptment.

This article presents a clear clash between the values of health and safety and the values of pregressing physics. In my opinion, the needs of the many should overtake the needs of the few. If eyesight damage is a negative side effect of space travel, I believe that it is a small price we must pay for the massive loads of information that space travel gives us. These people are not dieing, they are just recieving small complications that can easily be medically corrected. Not getting this information is not something that can be affected though. wallah

ahh.. of course of course