Neuroscience & outer space travel: The final frontier

Abstract

Space travel is soon going to be a reality. With already 700 people signed up for commercial trip the scientific community is being pushed to limits which knows no boundaries. Over the past Six Decades outer space has slowly been unraveling itself in a manner which has transformed from a generating a response of fear to that of challenge. Because of the harsh environment in space, astronauts are at risk of both short- and long-term health risks. The 2 major challenges associated with spaceflight are radiation effects and the physiologic consequences of a microgravity environment. Many of the immediate risks (decompression, thermal injury, arcing injuries) are mitigated by the design of the spacecraft and spacesuits. The biologic effects of long-term exposure to space radiation are still unclear. It may range from, development of cataracts and concerto altered neurobiology.