At present our planet has an orbiting space station, in which people have been living, sometimes continuously for many months. They have, of course, been tested, to see what the effects of living in micro-gravity are. Here are some of the results:
Space affects the body in many ways. One measurable effect is gradual bone loss ? at a rate of 1 to 1.5% every month. The long term effect of this is similar to osteoporosis, or brittle bones.
Increased risk of kidney stones, which is linked to the slow demineralization of the bones, and also loss of muscle mass. As the muscles shrink, the general strength and endurance of the body drops, so astronauts may become enfeebled.
Because the heart is not working against normal gravity, it too can become weaker, and suffer from rhythm disturbances. Because the internal pressures of the body have altered, more fluid is pushed into the head, and less down to the feet and hands.
Because living in space alters the normal circadian cycle, (clearly defined day and night) astronauts can suffer from stress, and loss of sleep, which leads to a lowering of their immunity from infections.
Astronauts also need . . .
At present our planet has an orbiting space station, in which people have been living, sometimes continuously for many months. They have, of course, been tested, to see what the effects of living in micro-gravity are. Here are some of the results:
Space affects the body in many ways. One measurable effect is gradual bone loss ? at a rate of 1 to 1.5% every month. The long term effect of this is similar to osteoporosis, or brittle bones.
Increased risk of kidney stones, which is linked to the slow demineralization of the bones, and also loss of muscle mass. As the muscles shrink, the general strength and endurance of the body drops, so astronauts may become enfeebled.
Because the heart is not working against normal gravity, it too can become weaker, and suffer from rhythm disturbances. Because the internal pressures of the body have altered, more fluid is pushed into the head, and less down to the feet and hands.
Because living in space alters the normal circadian cycle, (clearly defined day and night) astronauts can suffer from stress, and loss of sleep, which leads to a lowering of their immunity from infections.
Astronauts also need to be shielded from lethal radiation ? cosmic rays, heavy ions such as iron, trapped electrons, protons and neutrons, all of which can trigger cataracts and cancer.
To counteract these many difficulties, a wide range of responses have been developed ? exercise, shielding, drugs and special lighting, which has proved yet again that Man is a very adaptable creature. Here on Earth he has developed ways to survive in hostile arctic regions, high up mountains, in roasting deserts, and in humid jungles. It should not therefore surprise us to find him living one day on the moon, or Mars, or in giant, space- travelling artificial environments.
The Bible tells us that God created this planet for humans to live on, and that He created humans to live on this planet. Man was made for Earth and Earth for Man. We should not therefore be surprised that when Man tries to live somewhere else, problems occur.
C.S.Lewis considered the possibility of Man traveling through space, and decided that wherever Man went, Man's inherently sinful nature would go with him. In other words, sin would spread where Man went, and if Man was left unfettered for long enough, every reach of the galaxy would eventually be ?infected? by him. This makes many of today's Science-fiction books and movies, in which wars are fought between different factions of Mankind, quite feasible ? even inevitable. Mankind is not perfect. He is biased towards sin and wherever he goes he takes his ?fallenness? with him.
An orbiting space station is an exciting and fascinating invention, but in one very basic sort of way nothing has really happened. Behind the amazing technology and awesome science, the fact remains that sinners in need of salvation are still God's number one priority, whether they live on the planet, or in an artificial biosphere going around it.
Richard Gunther, Copyright 2005