Torpor Inducing Transfer Habitat for Human Stasis to Mars

Bradford, J ; Schaffer, M ; Talk, D

关键词: CONSUMABLES (SPACECRAFT);    FLIGHT CREWS;    HABITATS;    MARS MISSIONS;    PROPULSION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE;    RADIATION EFFECTS;    RISK;    BODY TEMPERATURE;    GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM;    HYPOTHERMIA;    METABOLISM;    SPACE FLIGHT;   

RP-ID  :  HQ-E-DAA-TN62869

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来源: NASA Technical Reports Server

【 摘 要 】

SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. has performed an initial evaluation of an advanced habitat system designed to transport crews between the Earth and Mars. This new and innovative habitat design is capable of placing the crew in an inactive, torpor state for the duration of the in-space mission segments. This substantially reduces the mass and size of the habitat, which ultimately leads to significant reductions in the overall architecture size.Our approach for achieving this is based on extending the current and evolving medical practice of Therapeutic Hypothermia (TH) – a proven and effective treatment for various traumatic injuries. TH is a medical treatment that lowers a patient's body temperature by just 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit causing their metabolism to reduce significantly and the body to enter an unconscious state. This method avoids the intractable challenges often associated with cell metabolic cessation through cryogenic freezing and other highly speculative approaches.TH is a proven treatment for traumatic injuries; however it has not been applied for non-critical care purposes due to current lack of purpose (i.e. no practical need). The opportunity exists to use TH in this capacity to enable and enhance our human spaceflight capability. With this concept, we have the potential to simultaneously solve multiple exploration challenges.