We offer a Space Medicine enrichment elective that is open to anyone interested in learning about physiology in microgravity. Below, you will find the elective schedule.
To join the elective and receive a zoom link, please fill out the contact us form on this website with your name, (professional) email, and affiliation.
- Tuesday 10/04 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Basics of gravitational physiology
- Weightlessness produces effects on the body that cannot be replicated on earth
- Topic: Basics of gravitational physiology
- Tuesday 10/11 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Musculoskeletal (Bone loss, Kidney stones, Muscle loss)
- The longer a person stays in space, the greater his/her calcium and bone loss
- The calcium lost from bones can end up in newly formed kidney stones
- Muscle mass and strength are reduced in space, which could have significant consequences in an emergency or on a long voyage to Mars
- Topic: Musculoskeletal (Bone loss, Kidney stones, Muscle loss)
- Tuesday 10/18 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Psychological problems
- Living in an isolated and confined environment with just a few other people can lead to conflict, stress, and depression
- Topic: Psychological problems
- Tuesday 10/25 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Radiation exposure
- Spaceflight exposes crews to ionizing radiation. On interplanetary missions, the effects of galactic cosmic radiation become particularly important
- Topic: Radiation exposure
- Tuesday 11/01 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Motion sickness, Loss of balance
- Motion sickness can be disabling early in the flight, and some crew members have symptoms for an entire mission
- After returning from space most crew members notice unsteadiness and a difference in sensing body tilt. This can be significant while flying during re-entry or in an emergency
- Topic: Motion sickness, Loss of balance
- Tuesday 11/08 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Cardiovascular effects, Extra-vehicular activity
- Astronauts returning from space can have problems with blood pressure control, which can sometimes lead to lightheadedness and fainting (orthostatic intolerance). Without an effective exercise program, astronauts would return with cardiac atrophy and significantly reduced exercise capacity
- Going out into the vacuum of space is dangerous and carries physiological risk. The three issues of workload, thermal stress, and decompression sickness will be reviewed
- Topic: Cardiovascular effects, Extra-vehicular activity
- Tuesday 11/15 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Long-duration medical planning, habitat/spacecraft design
- What monitoring and treatment capability should be available for a trip to Mars? Also, does long-duration spaceflight affect immune function, which could complicate the response to infections? What are the important genetic considerations?
- Proper habitat design is essential for maintaining people successfully for long-durations in space or on planetary surfaces. The atmospheric composition will affect the risk of decompression sickness. Elevated carbon dioxide levels can produce headaches and other effects. The microbiome that develops within the habitat can have an influence on human health. The size and design of the habitat will have an effect on psychological well-being
- Topic: Long-duration medical planning, habitat/spacecraft design
- Tuesday 11/22 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Artificial gravity
- One way to prevent many of the effects of weightlessness is to provide artificial gravity through the use of centrifuges or spinning spacecraft. This raises many questions about how much gravitational exposure is needed and for how long
- Topic: Artificial gravity
- Tuesday 11/29 at 6:00pm
- Topic: Challenges for commercial spaceflight passengers
- As the commercial spaceflight industry grows a wide variety of people will be able to experience weightlessness. This will include people with chronic medical conditions that may be worsened by weightlessness.
- Topic: Challenges for commercial spaceflight passengers