Space Wasting

Space wasting is a condition caused by prolonged exposure to the microgravity, radiation, and isolation associated with human spaceflight. The most common and notable symptom of space wasting is muscle atrophy, as the body does not need to hold itself upright against gravity. Over prolonged exposure to microgravity, the body's muscles can seriously deteriorate. Similarly, the skeletal structure can deteriorate in a process known as spaceflight osteopenia, where approximately 1-3% of bone mass is lost per month in microgravity. Although these have minor effects in space, upon return to the relatively high gravity of Earth, these can cause serious health issues for astronauts.

While muscle atrophy and skeletal deterioration are the most widely-known symptoms of space wasting, there are a number of others. The human body adjusts distribution of fluids like blood while in microgravity, which can cause dizziness. The eyeball can flatten, causing issues with both near and long distance vision. The intense isolation of space, both social and physical isolation, is known to cause psychological issues in astronauts. This can include anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

In order to counter the effects of space wasting, most long-term space stations and spacecraft designed for human spaceflight are constructed with the condition in mind. Rotating drums create a centrifugal force that can approximate gravity by pushing astronauts away from its centre. Astronauts are carefully screened for psychological issues before launch, and long-term voyages have larger crews to lessen the effects of social isolation. Family and friends on Earth are able to make video calls to astronauts in space, though missions beyond Earth and the Moon are subject to light-lag (the distance from Earth to the spacecraft being so significant that radio signals are noticably delayed). Finally, astronauts are required to regularly exercise in order to maintain muscle mass.
Type
Physiological
Origin
Natural
Cycle
Short-term
Rarity
Common

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