Scientists announced that they have produced a solution for the neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) problem experienced by astronauts during space visits. SANS, which causes visual impairment, will become history with the technological sleeping bag developed.
Astronauts working on Moon and Mars missions struggle with many health problems, especially muscle loss. SANS is a condition that causes flattening of the eyeball, swelling of the optic nerve, and impaired vision. When fluid collects in the head with pressure, SANS can cause different problems.
A special sleeping bag has been developed to eliminate visual impairment.
The sleeping bag, developed for astronauts who will spend more than six months on the International Space Station (ISS), is very effective for balancing pressure. The coverall, which prevents fluid from collecting on the head while astronauts sleep, relieves the potentially damaging pressure on the eyeballs.
Microgravity conditions in the ISS environment do not yet have the technology to evenly distribute the fluid accumulated in the astronauts’ heads throughout the body. For this reason, the problem of fluid accumulation in the head arises.
Similar situations can occur in life on Earth. However, gravity pulls the fluid accumulated in our heads downwards as we stand. This helps to balance the pressure in our head.
Although most astronauts’ vision problems disappear when they return to Earth, in some cases permanent damage can occur. The University of Texas at Dallas team collaborated with REI to address this issue.
“We don’t know how bad the pressure-related effects could be during a two-year Mars mission,” said team leader Benjamin Levine, professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Long-term vision loss of astronauts could lead to situations that could endanger the mission. ” said.