Italian delegation shares expertise on how to sustain human life in space

Visitors at the Moon to Mars exhibition in Science Gallery Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: Hemanth C.S.

A delegation of researchers from the University of Sassari, who are visiting India on Sunday as part of Italian Space Day, shared their expertise on how to sustain human life in space and the challenges faced by space researchers and astronauts to support life beyond Earth.

Prof. Plinio Innocenzi, Dr. Alessia Manca, and Dr. Andrada Pica delivered lectures at the Science Gallery Bengaluru on aerospace materials and avionics, astrobiology, and human performance analysis in simulated gravity, respectively. Dr. Pica said that astronauts’ exposure to altered gravity environments could lead to significant physiological changes.

Vestibular disorder

She said that, 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 and vascular and cardiac alterations. With regard to muscle atrophy, there could be a 5% to 10 % decrease in muscle size and a 20% decrease in muscle strength. Similarly, there can be a bone loss of 1.5% per month in the hip and femur and 1% in the lumbar spine per month.

Prof. Innocenzi said that important challenges lie ahead, especially regarding the exploration of deep space and the colonisation of the Moon and Mars.

“Even in the highly controlled environment, characterised by microgravity, increased Carbon Dioxide levels and elevated solar radiation, microorganisms occupy a unique niche. The microbial inhabitations play a significant role in influencing the health and well-being of the astronauts onboard,” he said.

Robotics and AI

He added that robotic space exploration will be the future and that AI could be used, as the space environment is hostile and harsh. Dr. Manca spoke about microgravity and the future of space nutrition.