User:Mjpfmk/Space medicine

Project Mercury
'''The main precaution taken by Mercury astronauts to defend against high G environments like launch and reentry was a couch with seat belts to make sure astronauts were not forcibly moved from their position. Additionally, experienced pilots proved to be better able to cope with high G scenarios. One of the pressing concerns with Project Mercury's mission environment was the isolated nature of the cabin. There were deeper concerns about psychological issues than there were about physiological health effects. Substantial animal testing proved beyond a reasonable doubt to NASA engineers that spaceflight could be done safely provided a climate controlled environment.'''

Project Gemini
The Gemini program primarily addressed the psychological issues from isolation in space with two crewmembers. Upon returning from space, it was recorded that crewmembers experienced a loss of balance and a decrease in anaerobic ability.

Project Apollo
The Apollo program began with a substantial basis of medical knowledge and precautions from both Mercury and Gemini. The understanding of high and low G environments was well documented and the effects of isolation had been addressed with Gemini and Apollo having multiple occupants in one capsule. The primary research of the Apollo Program focused on pre-flight and post-flight monitoring. Some Apollo mission plans were postponed or altered due to some or all crewmembers contracting a communicable disease. Apollo 14 instituted a form of quarantine for crewmembers so as to curb the passing of typical illnesses. While the efficacy of the Flight Crew Health Stabilization Program was questionable as some crewmembers still contracted diseases, the program showed enough results to maintain implementation with current space programs.

https://permanent.fdlp.gov/lps70296/lps70296/history.nasa.gov/SP-368/s3ch5.htm

Animal Testing
Before sending humans, space agencies used animals to study the effects of space travel on the body. After several years of failed animal recoveries, an Aerobee rocket launch in September of 1951 was the first safe return of a monkey and a group of mice from near space altitudes. On 3 November 1957, Sputnik 2 became the first mission to carry a living animal to space, a dog named Laika. This flight and others suggested the possibility of safely flying in space within a controlled environment, and provided data on how living beings react to space flight. Later flights with cameras to observe the animal subjects would show in flight conditions such as high-G and zero-G. Russian tests yielded more valuable physiological data from the animal tests.

Loss of bone density
Spaceflight osteopenia is the bone loss associated with human spaceflight. The metabolism of calcium is limited in microgravity and will cause calcium to leak out of bones. After a 3–4 month trip into space, it takes about 2–3 years to regain lost bone density. New techniques are being developed to help astronauts recover faster. Research in the following areas holds the potential to aid the process of growing new bone:


 * Diet and Exercise changes may reduce osteoporosis.
 * Vibration Therapy may stimulate bone growth.
 * Medication could trigger the body to produce more of the protein responsible for bone growth and formation.