Space biology - a science that studies the biological effects of various factors of outer space on living organisms, develops methods and measures to ensure normal life in space flight, is engaged in the search for life forms, which probably exists not only on Earth, and develops preventative measures terrestrial life forms to other planets and into space.
The range of problems of this young space science is extremely wide, and the problems themselves are quite specific. Here is the development of biological and physicochemical methods of providing the necessary living conditions in the spaceships, and the study of the physiological effect of weightlessness that occurs during the orbital flight of the spacecraft, the biological effects of space radiation, and the study of long stay in closed ecological environments.
Space biology has emerged "at the intersection" of such sciences as biology, medicine, physics, chemistry, astronomy, rocketry, and several others, and differs from them in its complexity. In fact, to solve, for example, the problem of life support in space, we need not only data from biology and medicine, but also information from other sciences. Space biology, using the achievements of many sciences, develops its own, special methods of research, conducts its own specific experiments. Scientists simulate space conditions on earth, that is, simulate individual factors of space flight - reduced pressure, noise, vibration, acceleration, complete isolation, limited space and so on.
However, during a space flight, a person will encounter a complex of cosmic factors that cannot be imitated in the laboratory, in particular, to create long-term weightlessness, full spectrum of cosmic radiation, appropriate neuro-psychic stress, etc.
That is why the second area of biomedical research is to study not "at home" on Earth, but in space - on rockets and artificial satellites.
By mimicking various cosmic factors on Earth, such as low barometric pressure or the lack of oxygen needed for breathing by humans, scientists are studying the effects of these factors on humans and proposing precautionary measures. Scientists are well aware of the effect of such factors on the human body. It requires airtight booths, oxygen appliances, and space suits. But the impact of cosmic radiation has not been studied yet. It is found in animals, sending them on long space flights.
Or the temperature conditions of space - it turns out that in the cabin of the ship must always maintain a certain temperature regime. How about a meteor shower, is it scary? And here it is necessary to study everything, to develop certain recommendations for the protection of astronauts. In short, space is an environment where a person can exist only by applying certain protective devices.
According to the recommendations of space biology, a whole range of measures has been developed to guarantee flight safety.
When flying on a spacecraft expect:
- noise in the active area when powerful rocket engines are running;
- the vibrations that shake the rocket's body at that moment;
- congestion caused by colossal acceleration;
- weightlessness that occurs after the ship is launched into orbit.
How do you overcome these obstacles? The noise in the cabs is minimized by using sound insulation, the effect of vibrations on the body is reduced by various shock absorbers. And how to increase the resistance of the human body to the effects of overloads? Studies have shown that overloads are better tolerated when they are directed towards the chest-back and worse - if along the body. This is why astronauts are always positioned in the cockpit of a spacecraft in such a way that the overloads act perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of their body or at a slight angle. In this case, they can carry a significant "increase" in their weight over time.
And here is the ship in orbit ... Passengers enter the world of "missing" weight. Prolonged weight ... In terrestrial conditions, it can only be reproduced for a short time, for example, when moving an aircraft on the so-called Kepler parabola. And this for a man is a fundamentally new condition.
Will her body of balance and coordination - the vestibular apparatus - work in such conditions? After all, this "excludes" signaling from a large area of receptors, the functioning of which is associated with the action of gravity. Will human performance be preserved, will the human body be able to adapt to an unusual situation?
Research in the lab, and later in space, answered these questions positively. The body adapts to weightlessness. But scientists are also concerned about transitions - transitions from overloads to weightlessness and vice versa. And it turns out that the person worse tolerates the transition from the state of missing weight to overload.