Your Body in Space Created by: Janelle Tarchinski

Pressurized Protection Space is nearly a perfect vacuum, there is essentially no atmospheric pressure. In a spacesuit the air pressure is 4.3 pounds per square inch. Which is less than the air pressure at sea level (14.7 pounds per square inch.) NASA’s spacesuits contain four tanks filled to psi of 100% oxygen.

In space without a suit? If you were to go into space without a spacesuit there are three things you need to know. First of all you would not explode. Secondly, your blood would not boil. Lastly, you would not freeze to death. You wouldn’t want to hold your breath because this would cause lung damage.

What would happen without a suit? Well, you would stay conscious for a few seconds at most a minute. You would most likely die from the blood cells going to your brain without oxygen. You could also get some sunburn considering the closer you are to the sun without protection. Your saliva could begin boiling.

Bones in Space Since you float in space, the bones that typically bare weight (hips, legs, and spine) experience a significant decrease in load baring. This leads to loss of calcium and bone breakdown. The loss of calcium can result in an increase of the risk of kidney stone formation and bone fractures. An astronaut can lose 1 to 1.5 percent of bone mass in one month.

Muscles in Space In space your muscles begin to weaken, or atrophy. This could lead to fall-related injuries. Currently, astronauts exercise in space to maintain muscle mass. Nutritional interventions designed to help reduce muscle loss may be added to complement the exercise program.

Cardiovascular System in Space The cardiovascular system actually functions fairly well in space, although the heart doesn’t have to work as hard. Over a period of time, this could lead to deconditioning and a decrease in the size of the heart. There is a concern that space radiation may affect endothelial cells, lining of the blood vessels, which might cause coronary heart disease.

Spine in Space In space, astronauts get a bit taller. On Earth, the disks between the vertebrae of the spinal column are slightly compressed due to gravity. The compression is no longer there in space causing the disks to expand. One possible side effect is back pain that may be related to the lengthening of the spine.

Summary In conclusion, you would not last in space without the technology and advancements we have today. Your bones would decrease in bone mass, your muscles would weaken, your heart has a chance of getting smaller, and you would get a little bit taller. Your body would have some changes to it, but you get the chance to explore the future.