“The Earth is blue. How beautiful it is,” were the first words uttered in space by Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin back in 1961. Ever since, space enthusiasts and nations around the globe have watched every space expedition, including moon missions, with awe. India is gearing up for her first manned trip to the moon, Gaganyaan 2025. On 27 February 2024, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, revealed the names of the four astronauts selected for this voyage Gaganyaan 2025 — Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Wing Commander S Shukla — at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thumba, Kerala. These individuals were selected after rigorous testing, training and physical and mental health checks.
As India gears up for a manned space mission, the question arises, what do astronauts do in space? Happiest Health brings you the details.
How are astronauts trained for space missions?
Keeping themselves fit until the takeoff of the mission is key for astronauts. A senior official from ISRO told Happiest Health that these four astronauts underwent rigorous training for over 13 months in Russia. Further, a press release from ISRO said, “Psychological and aero-medical tests, survival training and yoga formed part of their regimen. They are preparing further at various ISRO facilities before embarking on the Gangayaan mission, which is scheduled for next year.”
As astronauts on a mission may be in highly stressful situations, their training also focuses on improving their resilience and cognitive ability through counseling, shares Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, professor of clinical psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.
Astronauts’ regime in space
Studies by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) show that zero gravity and the changing sunrise patterns can affect an astronaut’s physical and mental health. Motion sickness, claustrophobia and homesickness can add to the struggle, disrupting the sleep pattern of astronauts. Following a tried-and-tested regimen can help minimize the damage and help them sleep and snore in space. Here are certain aspects of their daily routine:
Oxygen/air management: The air in the shuttle is critical to the health of astronauts — the oxygen in the spacecraft needs to be at optimal levels at all times. Oxygen generation is part of the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which also filters unwanted matter from the air in the cabin.
Diet: A few years ago, the Mysuru-based Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) prepared several tasty and nutritious ready-to-eat space foods (RTE). the menu includes a mango bar and freeze-dried pineapple or mango juice powders to ensure that astronauts had access to light, fresh and rehydrating meals.
Fitness: Astronauts need to exercise for two hours every day using a stationary bicycle or treadmill. This helps avoid the deterioration of bone and muscle in zero gravity. Failing this, they may have difficulty walking and standing up after returning to earth.
Health and hygiene: After brushing, astronauts can spit their toothpaste into a towel or swallow it. Sponge baths using distinct types of washcloths for washing and rinsing are also a part of the daily routine. They use a shampoo that does not require rinsing out to wash their hair. Moreover, using the washroom in a zero-gravity environment can be vastly different — flushing is not involved; instead, fans suck air and urine into a wastewater tank.
Sleep routine: Astronauts use eye masks and earplugs to ensure sound sleep while efficiently blocking distractions like noise and light. They must also strap themselves down to avoid bumping into things while weightless. In a video interview shared by NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA astronaut Ricky Arnold shares how astronauts have sleeping bags attached to a seat or wall. After doing different essential activities as per routine for 16 hours, astronauts typically get eight hours of sleep.
Sleep training is crucial
Lack of sleep is associated with comorbidities like cardiac issues and diabetes. Even in space, sleep is a crucial factor that should not be overlooked, says Dr Vivek Padegal, senior consultant and director of pulmonary and sleep medicine, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore. He adds, “Astronauts are trained to maintain their 24-hour sleep-wake cycle and mitigate sleep problems.” Dr Padegal adds that astronauts have melatonin supplements to regulate sleep. This, combined with light therapy, helps astronauts in managing their sleep.
In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is helpful in tackling sleep problems in space. NASA’s Behavioral Health and Performance Group at Johnson Space Center ensures psychological support to astronauts before, during and after flight, enabling them to adhere to sleep hygiene practices and get sufficient rest.
Research on astronauts’ issues
A group of researchers conducted an in-depth study on in-orbit sleep problems, which was published in Military Medical Research Journal (2018). It was found that sleep deprivation was a pertinent issue among the astronauts and led to dire effects on their health. The study proposed seven types of countermeasures to deal with sleep disturbances in space, including light treatment, pharmacologic interventions, traditional Chinese medicines and even Tai Chi. It noted that practicing Tai Chi in space proved beneficial to the crew during the Shenzhou-10 Mission — China’s longest human spaceflight mission — in improving mood, dozing off faster and maintaining deep sleep.
Takeaways
- In space, astronauts experience weightlessness, motion sickness and sleep cycle disruption. To combat this, they undergo physical training, sleep training and regular health monitoring.
- Astronauts can have psychological issues such as homesickness and an altered routine, but their 24-hour schedule plan helps them cope.
- While on a spacecraft, astronauts may have to handle highly stressful situations. Hence, their training focuses on improving their resilience and cognitive ability through counseling.
