Outer SpaceOuter SpaceBy: Jen RussBy: Jen Russ

What is Gravity?What is Gravity?

Gravity is created by the interaction Gravity is created by the interaction between two bodies.between two bodies.

The force of gravity increases as the size The force of gravity increases as the size of the two bodies increases and/or the of the two bodies increases and/or the distance between them decreases.distance between them decreases.

When gravity disappears, weightlessness When gravity disappears, weightlessness appears. appears.

WeightlessnessWeightlessness

When there is no sensation of weight.When there is no sensation of weight.The feeling astronauts get while in outer The feeling astronauts get while in outer

space.space.

Organ Systems AffectedOrgan Systems Affected

Circulatory systemCirculatory systemMuscular/Skeletal systemsMuscular/Skeletal systemsNervous systemNervous system

Circulatory SystemCirculatory System On Earth, tOn Earth, the heart must do more

work to supply the upper body, because blood is naturally drawn downward by the force of gravity.

In space, bodily fluids no longer flow back down naturally by gravity, yet the heart is still programmed the way it was on Earth. So, under the pressure of the heart and the veins and arteries, the blood rushes to the person’s torso and head. Also known as Puffy space syndrome.

Body AdaptationsBody Adaptations

Eventually, the body will adapt to puffy Eventually, the body will adapt to puffy space syndrome by changing the space syndrome by changing the circulation of blood throughout the body.circulation of blood throughout the body.

Muscular/Skeletal SystemsMuscular/Skeletal Systems

The musculoskeletal The musculoskeletal system deteriorates.system deteriorates.

Muscles become flabby Muscles become flabby and lose tone and mass.and lose tone and mass.

The bones become The bones become weaker due to loss of weaker due to loss of minerals.minerals.

Vertebrae separate in Vertebrae separate in back and cause back and cause astronaut to become astronaut to become taller.taller.

Body AdaptationsBody Adaptations

The body will stay like this until the person The body will stay like this until the person goes back to Earth, where there is gravity.goes back to Earth, where there is gravity.

Nervous SystemNervous System

Balance and orientation disturbed.Balance and orientation disturbed.Body lacks normal points of reference.Body lacks normal points of reference.Only useful information the brain Only useful information the brain

receives comes from the eyes, receives comes from the eyes, muscles, tendons, and inner ear.muscles, tendons, and inner ear.

Body AdaptationsBody Adaptations

Eventually, the body will no longer be Eventually, the body will no longer be disoriented because of zero gravity.disoriented because of zero gravity.

How Long Can Humans Last In How Long Can Humans Last In Outer Space?Outer Space?

One could last for almost two minutes One could last for almost two minutes without suffering any irreversible damage without suffering any irreversible damage while in outer space, unprotected. while in outer space, unprotected.

Space SuitSpace Suit A complex system of garments, equipment and A complex system of garments, equipment and

environmental systems designed to keep a person alive environmental systems designed to keep a person alive and comfortable in the harsh environment of outer and comfortable in the harsh environment of outer space. space.

Pressurized suits are needed in the sparse atmosphere. Pressurized suits are needed in the sparse atmosphere. Space Suit must provide:Space Suit must provide:

A stable internal pressureA stable internal pressure Mobility,Mobility, Breathable oxygenBreathable oxygen Temperature regulationTemperature regulation Means to recharge and discharge gases and liquids Means to recharge and discharge gases and liquids Means of collecting and containing solid and liquid wasteMeans of collecting and containing solid and liquid waste Means to maneuver, dock, release, and/or tether onto spacecraft. Means to maneuver, dock, release, and/or tether onto spacecraft.

Space SuitSpace Suit