The Shenzhou-18 crew has hit the halfway mark of their ambitious six-month journey aboard the China Space Station (CSS), marking a significant milestone in China's growing presence in space exploration. As they navigate the challenges of life in orbit, the three taikonauts are breaking new ground in maintaining their health beyond Earth's gravity.
One of the critical hurdles faced by astronauts is the adaptation to weightlessness, which can lead to what\u2019s known as \"space adaptation syndrome.\" A major concern is bone density loss, a side effect of prolonged exposure to the zero-gravity environment that can have lasting impacts on health.
Addressing this challenge head-on, Chinese researchers have introduced an innovative bone loss countermeasure device that leverages bone fluid flow vibration. This cutting-edge technology simulates the natural bone stress that occurs under Earth's gravity by stimulating bone fluid movement through targeted vibrations. These vibrations encourage interactions between bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts), effectively mitigating bone density loss during the mission.
The successful completion of these weightlessness protection experiments underscores the importance of technological advancements in ensuring astronaut health and the sustainability of long-term space missions. As the Shenzhou-18 crew continues their mission, these developments pave the way for future space endeavors, bringing humanity one step closer to thriving in the final frontier.
Reference(s):
China Space Station: How do Shenzhou-18 taikonauts stay healthy?
cgtn.com
