NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman has expressed his regret over the cancellation of the Centrifuge Accommodations Module (CAM) in 2005. Reisman, who has spent extensive periods of time in space, believes that the CAM could have been instrumental in important scientific discoveries. The module, which was intended to conduct artificial gravity experiments, was cancelled due to budgetary concerns. Reisman, who has experienced the negative effects of microgravity on the human body firsthand, sees the lack of data on the effects of different levels of gravity as a significant problem. He argues that the application of even a small amount of gravity could potentially solve many health issues experienced by astronauts in space.
Reisman’s concerns about the effects of microgravity are well-founded. According to data from NASA, weight-bearing bones lose 1 to 1.5 percent of mineral density per month during spaceflight, and this bone loss is not fully corrected upon returning to Earth. Astronauts also experience muscle loss in space without proper diet and exercise routines. Additionally, some astronauts experience vision impairments and blood circulation issues, raising concerns about the feasibility of long-duration space travel to destinations like Mars.
In response to these concerns, Reisman has joined Vast Space, a company planning to launch the Haven-1 space station as early as 2025. Vast Space aims to build larger space stations with artificial gravity, which could provide valuable data on the effects of gravity levels between zero and one g. Reisman sees this as an important step in understanding the impact of gravity on human health and potentially finding solutions to the issues faced by astronauts in space.
Reisman’s role with Vast Space as a “human spaceflight advisor” will allow him to contribute his expertise and knowledge of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft to the company’s efforts. Vast Space plans to partner with SpaceX to launch Haven-1 and utilize Dragon’s life support systems. This collaboration highlights the potential for commercial space stations in the future and the importance of continued technological advancements in space exploration.
The artificial gravity space stations planned by Vast Space may hold the key to bridging the gap between the known effects of one g and zero g on the human body. Reisman believes that understanding the impact of various levels of gravity is crucial for the success of long-term human space travel. The potential benefits of artificial gravity extend beyond health considerations, with Reisman jokingly noting that it would be nice to be able to pour oneself a cup of coffee in space.
With experienced astronauts like Reisman devoting their knowledge and expertise to projects like Vast Space’s endeavors, the future of human space exploration looks promising. The quest to understand the effects of different gravity levels and find solutions to the health issues faced by astronauts in space continues, and Vast Space’s plans for artificial gravity space stations offer hope for the future of space travel.