Survival in space
by Joy Stahl
Cold sleep on long missions
Arctic Ground Squirrel
I’m a huge fan of science fiction novels and shows that use hibernation chambers to allow humans to reach distant planets in their lifetime.
I read an article about scientists who are studying arctic squirrels and how they hibernate, to create hibernation solutions for astronauts. Arctic squirrels are super-hibernators . They hibernate over winter for 7 to 9 months, reducing their core body temperature from 37 °C (99 °F) to as low as −2.9 °C (26.8 °F), and yet they manage to retain muscle and bone mass during this extended hibernation. Understanding this remarkable adaptation may help researchers looking at prolonged space travel and may also lead to improved critical and emergency health care and treatments.
Further reading:
‘Arctic squirrels may hold key to helping astronauts survive on long missions’, AccuWeather.com: https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/arctic-squirrels-may-help-astronauts-survive-long-missions/1481578
Author bio:
Joy Stahl is a middle school teacher in southwestern Kansas. Her poetry has appeared in Voices of Kansas. Check out Joy’s other sciku ‘1827-2023’!