Hostile closed environments
A spacecraft is not only a home, it’s also a machine. NASA
role in everyday astronaut life. Important habitability
factors include temperature, pressure, lighting, noise, and
quantity of space. It’s essential that astronauts are
getting the requisite food, sleep and exercise needed to
stay healthy and happy.
Technology, as often is the case with out-of-this-world
exploration, comes to the rescue in creating a habitable
home in a harsh environment. Everything is monitored,
from air quality to possible microbial inhabitants.
Microorganisms that naturally live on your body are
transferred more easily from one person to another in a
closed environment. Astronauts, too, contribute data
points via urine and blood samples, and can reveal
valuable information about possible stressors. The
occupants are also asked to provide feedback about their
living environment, including physical impressions and
sensations so that the evolution of spacecraft can
continue addressing the needs of humans in space.
Extensive recycling of resources we take for granted is
also imperative: oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, even our
waste.
AstroSpider