61. Do Long Periods in Space Affect the Body and Mind?

Today we report on recent developments¹ in space science. We tell about the growing demand for² communications satellites and space-based imaging services. We also³ tell about China’s first robotic vehicle⁴ on the moon. But first, we examine the effect of longer space flights⁵ on humans.

How Do Long Periods in Space Affect the Body and Mind⁶?

Human beings⁷ have a natural desire to explore the unknown⁸. People with a strong interest in space like to say it is the last place left⁹ to explore. But scientists are warning¹⁰ that space exploration for long periods is not going to be easy¹¹. They say the human body is not designed¹² to stay in space over an extended period.

The New York Times recently¹³ published a report about scientists who are preparing astronauts for a trip¹⁴ to the Moon. The newspaper said the scientists want to make sure¹⁵ that their crews¹⁶ return home in good health. But there are¹⁷ many problems to be solved before people are ready for¹⁸ long trips to the Moon, an asteroid or even¹⁹ the planet Mars.

 

The International Space Station

Humans developed²⁰ on a planet with a surface²¹ that is more than 70 percent water. Our bodies are also about²² 70 percent water.  When there is no gravity²³ that water moves up toward the head²⁴, raising²⁵ pressure in the skull²⁶.

Arms and legs²⁷ grow weaker²⁸ at what is called zero gravity because they no longer need²⁹ to push against³⁰ the force of gravity.

Five years ago, astronauts who spent weeks in space³¹ reported a change in their eyesight³². These astronauts were members of the crew on the International Space Station. Research showed a change in the shape³³ of their eyes. Normally-round eyeballs had become flat³⁴ during time in space. The research³⁵ also showed that the right eye was affected more than the left, and that men were more affected than women. Scientists could not find an explanation³⁶ for the differences.

Bone loss³⁷ was one of the problems first reported by astronauts returning to Earth after longer stays in space. So scientists designed exercise machines to use on the space station. Tests showed that the exercise equipment helped space travelers keep³⁸ their bones almost as strong as³⁹ when they left Earth.

There are other health issues⁴⁰ for astronauts who spend a long time in space. They may⁴¹ have problems eating and sleeping. But the biggest health issue is exposure⁴² to radiation. On Earth⁴³, human beings are protected by the atmosphere and the planet’s magnetic field⁴⁴. In outer⁴⁵ space, there is no such⁴⁶ protection.

For more than 50 years, the health of American astronauts has been a concern⁴⁷ of NASA -- the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA does not let⁴⁸ the risk of cancer for its astronauts rise⁴⁹ more than three percent during their lifetime⁵⁰. But there is more to be worried⁵¹ about than a possible increased risk⁵² of cancer.

On Long Island, New York, scientists have been studying the effect of cosmic rays on mice⁵³. The scientists say they have found possible brain damage⁵⁴ to the animals.

Another problem for astronauts is the difficulty of exchanging information⁵⁵ with people on Earth during long flights. There is no delay⁵⁶ now in communicating between astronauts and flight headquarters⁵⁷ -- known as Mission Control. But messages between Earth and distant planets will take minutes⁵⁸ to arrive.

Mental health is another important issue for long space flights. And, because astronauts will be inside their small spaceship⁵⁹ together for months, they must⁶⁰ work well as a team. There could be⁶¹ problems if one of the astronauts develops⁶² personality issues.

VOCABULARY

1. developments = desenvolvimentos
2. growing demand for = crescente demanda por
3. also = também
4. vehicle = veículo
5. flights = vôos
6. Mind = mente
7. Human beings = seres humanos
8. desire to explore the unknown = desejo de explorar o desconhecido
9. the last place left = o ultimo lugar que restou
10. warning = alertando
11. is not going to be easy = não será facil
12. designed = projetado
13. recently = recentemente
14. trip = viagem
15. to make sure = certificar-se
16. crews = tripulações
17. there are = existem
18. ready for = pronto para
19. even = até mesmo
20. developed = desenvolveram
21. surface = superficie
22. about = aproximadamente
23. gravity = gravidade
24. toward the head = em direção à cabeça
25. raising = elevando
26. skull = crânio
27. Arms and legs = braços e pernas
28. grow weaker = ficam mais fracos
29. no longer need = não precisam mais
30. push against = empurrar contra
31. spent weeks in space = passaram semanas no espaço
32. eyesight = visão
33. shape = forma, formato
34. had become flat = tinham se tornado achatados
35. research = pesquisa
36. could not find an explanation = não conseguiram encontrar uma explicação
37. Bone loss = perda óssea
38. keep = manter
39. almost as strong as = quase tão fortes quanto
40. health issues = questões de saúde
41. may = poder (possibilidade)
42. exposure = exposição
43. Earth = Terra (Planeta)
44. magnetic field = campo magnético
45. outer = externo
46. such = tal
47. concern = preocupação
48. let = deixar, permitir
49. rise = subir
50. lifetime = tempo de vida
51. to be worried = estar preocupado
52. increased risk = risco aumentado
53. mice = camundongos (plural de mouse)
54. brain damage = dano cerebral
55. exchanging information = trocar informações
56. delay = atraso
57. headquarters = matriz, central de comando
58. will take minutes = levarão minutos
59. spaceship = nave espacial
60. must = devem
61. There could be = poderia haver
62. develops = desenvolver