Motion Sickness Hits Hard as Space Tourists Describe Polar Orbit Adventure - Gizmodo

By Taylor Morgan: The burgeoning industry of space tourism, until recently a concept only conceivable in the realm of science fiction, has been catapulted into reality. Despite the exhilarating allure of the final frontier, these extraterrestrial exploits are not without their challenges. As early pioneers of this novel experience returned from a recent polar orbit adventure, they painted a vivid, and somewhat unsettling, picture of the physical tribulations they had to endure. After adjusting to microgravity—a feat in and of itself—the astronauts had to contend with bouts of vomiting, an unpleasant side effect of motion sickness that hit harder than anticipated.

Microgravity—otherwise known as zero gravity—is a state in which there is very little net gravitational force experienced. In layman's terms, it's essentially weightlessness, and it's what astronauts experience when they're in space. The initial adjustment to microgravity isn't always pleasant, as the astronauts on the recent polar orbit adventure can attest. The sudden shift from Earth's gravitational pull can cause disorientation and nausea—affectionately known as 'space sickness'—as the body adjusts to its new environment.

Space sickness is a common experience for astronauts, and it hit hard for the recent space tourists. After liftoff, as they ascended into space and Earth's gravitational pull lessened, the astronauts started feeling the effects. Nausea and vomiting ensued—a rough start to an otherwise extraordinary experience. Despite the unexpected bout of sickness, the astronauts persevered, determined to make the most of their journey.

After a while, the body adapts to the new gravitational environment, and the symptoms of space sickness subside. This adjustment period can take a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the individual. Once acclimated to microgravity, the astronauts were able to move onto the next part of their adventure: working in polar orbit.

The work done in polar orbit can vary depending on the mission. For these astronauts, their work encompassed a variety of tasks, including conducting experiments, observing Earth, and taking part in a number of other activities designed to contribute to our understanding of space and our planet. They also had the opportunity to experience the breathtaking views of Earth from a vantage point few have had the privilege to see. Despite the early setbacks, their determination and resilience led them to a once-in-a-lifetime experience, proving that space tourism, despite its challenges, can provide extraordinary opportunities.

Space sickness, or space adaptation syndrome as it is commonly referred to in scientific circles, is a condition that affects a significant number of astronauts during the early stages of space travel. The absence of gravity leads to a disorienting mismatch between the visual inputs the brain receives and the body's sense of orientation and movement, otherwise known as the vestibular system. This discrepancy often results in symptoms similar to those experienced during terrestrial motion sickness, including nausea, dizziness, and vomiting.

For the space tourists aboard the polar orbit adventure, the onset of space sickness was swift. Having trained for months to physically and mentally prepare for the journey, they soon discovered that the reality of space travel was a lot more challenging than the simulations. The relentless bouts of vomiting were an unpleasant surprise, and a stark contrast to the excitement they had felt prior to the launch.

Overcoming the initial bouts of space sickness was a crucial part of their journey. While the effects of space sickness typically subside after a few days as the body adapts to the microgravity environment, the discomfort can be a formidable barrier to carrying out tasks efficiently. The space tourists, however, showed remarkable resilience, continuing their work despite the physical discomfort.

Their experience underscores an important reality of space travel - it is not for the faint-hearted. As commercial space tourism continues to grow, understanding and managing the effects of space sickness will be critical in ensuring the safety and well-being of future space tourists.

Once the initial discomfort subsided, the astronauts began their tasks in polar orbit. The novelty of space travel quickly gave way to the realities of life in a microgravity environment, where even the simplest tasks can become complex challenges.

According to Dr. Richard Patterson, a space medicine expert at the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, "Adapting to life in space is not just about overcoming physical discomfort. It's about learning to perform tasks and conduct scientific experiments in an environment where the rules of physics as we know them on Earth don't apply."

Despite the difficulties, the astronauts managed to successfully complete their mission objectives while in polar orbit, including the collection of valuable data that could aid future space exploration efforts. The journey also provided them with a unique perspective of the Earth, one that few people have ever had the opportunity to experience.

"There's nothing quite like seeing the Earth from space," said astronaut Lisa Jackson, one of the space tourists. "It's a humbling and awe-inspiring sight that makes you realize just how small we are in the grand scheme of the universe."

As the new age of commercial space tourism dawns, the exhilarating adventure of polar orbit travel is tempered by the reality of motion sickness. Yet, despite the discomfort, the space tourists' descriptions of their experiences reveal a profound appreciation for the unique perspective that such a journey affords. The sensation of floating in microgravity, the view of Earth's polar regions, and the weight of being a part of something larger than oneself—these are experiences that resonate deeply.

While it's clear that space tourism is not for the faint of heart, the challenges faced by these pioneers serve as crucial data for future improvements. The bouts of vomiting, though unpleasant, highlight the need for better pre-flight training and perhaps even changes in spacecraft design. As we continue to push the boundaries of human exploration, these early adventures in space tourism provide valuable lessons for the next generation of space travelers.

Ultimately, as we adjust to the reality of motion sickness in space, we also adjust our perspective of what it means to be a traveler, not just on Earth, but beyond it. The journey, it seems, is not just about reaching the destination, but also about understanding our place in the cosmos.

Source: https://gizmodo.com/motion-sickness-hits-hard-as-space-tourists-describe-polar-orbit-adventure-2000584266