HUMAN HIBERNATION IN SPACE EXPLORATIONS

Nadiya SURURI, M. Arie PRASETYO, Suwandi TARYA Department of Pharmacy, FMIPA University of Padjadjaran Jl. Raya Bandung Sumedang Km. 21 Jatinangor, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia Telp / fax: (062 022) 797712, 796200

Abstract

For decades, human has been dreaming about long-range space explorations. Since the moon landing, it is possible to say that the next big step would be Mars-explorations. With the available rocket technology nowadays, such long-range explorations are still beyond our capabilities. It is mainly because the very long time-span necessary in getting to a place that lies far away. Any attempt for such mission wouldnt be at the up most efficiency. This pessimistic prospect has blocked our minds from far greater explorations, such as to the edge of our solar system. Many mammals are known to be hibernators. It is a group of animal with the ability to perform hibernation: a state of reduced metabolism and body temperature. In this unconscious state, metabolic rate is reduced to a minimum

setting requiring less energy. A hibernation device for human will undoubtedly revolutionize space explorations. A lengthy time-span will not present any significant problems for the mission. Although such device is hypothetical, the development of science will surely open the door for its creation.

Presented to UNISPACE III held in Vienna, Austria between 19th July - 30th July 1999 SECTION I. INTRODUCTION

Space is limitless. Far, far away places intrigue the minds of many scientists, from astronomer to physicist and biochemist to sociologist. Our only obstacle known today is the distance. Such long distance requires a great amount of funding, energy and human resources. One way of accomplishing this goal is hibernation. If we can set the astronauts in a state of hibernation and automatically guide their spaceship to far corners of our solar system, long-range space explorations will no longer be impossible. Although it sounds so simple, human hibernation is very complex procedure, requiring a very careful planning, and the state of the art equipment. The success in human hibernation will lead to more long-range manned explorations. We shall finally learn the nature of Mars, Europa and Titan, first hand.

SECTION II GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Space Explorations Space exploration is undoubtedly one of the greatest milestone in the history of mankind. It spurred the imagination of billions of people. The insatiable nature of mankind has led us to far-flung missions. But the lack of capabilities for such a mission has put us conducting only short-range manned missions. There are some unmanned space probes, flying eternally in unlimited space, but the information gathered is still not satisfying. The prospect of long-range space explorations would be beyond our imagination. Strange new places to explore, satellites to study, new sources of materials needed on Earth, new planets to colonize, and may be a new civilization. We believe that this is the goal, the world should try to achieve in the next millenium.

Hibernation Hibernation is a condition where the core temperature of an organism is reduced, thus setting its metabolism to a very low rate. Hibernation is survival at its best, it is the characteristics of many organism living in extreme ecosystem. In hibernation, the superficial appearance of the organism is as if it were dead. Breathing is reduced to almost three per minute, heartbeat is irregular and it could go on for several weeks. By reducing the rate of their metabolism, hibernators can conserve energy for a long time, thus increasing the probability of survival. There are two kinds of hibernators: true hibernator and pseudo hibernator. Small mammals are able in conducting true hibernation, but large mammals, such as bear, are pseudo hibernators. Pseudo hibernators are not really hibernating, although they are capable in conserving energy, they are not in the stresses of true hibernation.

Hibernation on Human Human are non-hibernators. Human have a high metabolism rate, mostly because of their intelligence. Lowering human body to a temperature of true hibernators in their hibernation would certainly lethal. Hibernation is triggered by low temperature. It inhibits the work of the thyroid gland. Theoritically, this can be practiced on human, but human physiology is different from hibernators physiology. If humans core temperature were dropped to a very low temperature, cardiac fibrilation and respiratory failure would happen. To make things worse, the blood stream would be filled with ice crystals, forming around the blood cells. It all may sound unpromising, but may be we can use some, not all, of the aspects of hibernation and apply it on human.

The Advantages of Human Hibernation There is no telling of how much advantage, but human hibernation could give for space exploration. Instead of controlling remote cameras on the surface Mars, astronauts could begin the building of a space station there. Then the next question would be, why only to Mars? . With human hibernation, daring astronauts could set on a mission to Saturns moon, Titan, even to Pluto. And may be, if the researches on hibernation continues, as well as propulsion technology, we can plan an exploration to Alpha Centauri. There are a lot of places unexplored, just waiting for human astronauts to study them. It may sound like a plot out of a science fiction novel, but as technology

developed, history recorded that what was once call fiction are now hard-facts.

SECTION III DISCUSSION

Hibernation Chamber ( Hibernacula ) The device for hibernation is the hibernation chamber. It plays a central role, amongst the composers and other devices that are also necessary for this procedure. The hibernacula would be the place where the astronauts would

spend much of their time in space, where they would hibernate. The hibernacula are designed to preserve the astronauts highly reduced metabolism, yet maintaining the energy conservation. The size is designed for spaceships space conservation and astronauts comfort, so it shouldnt be too large. ( See the following picture ). To maintain metabolism during hibernators, there are four active ducts, one sorbitol pump, a thermostat, and an array of sensors. We shall discuss them one by one, starting with the sorbitol pump.

Sorbitol pump

Duct Alpha

Duct Beta

Sensor Duct Delta

Duct Gamma

Sorbitol Solution

Thermostat

Figure 1. Hibernacula or Hibernation Chamber

Sorbitol Pump Low temperature inhibits the work of the thyroid gland, which is responsible for metabolism hormones. Thus it is believed that low temperature triggers the process of hibernation, temperature is one of the hibernation inducer. The minimum ambient temperature during which the astronauts are hibernating, is around 100 C. Although it is one of the inducer, low temperature is not the main inducer. Surrounding the astronaut body is an isotonic sorbitol solution, with the temperature of 100 C, set as ambient temperature. The sorbitols main purpose is to facilitate a homeostatic condition of the cells exposed to cold. It is also serve as a solution with which cells can conduct transfers and excretion. The astronaut is drowned in sorbitol solution, prior to hibernation. The pump would supply the sorbitol. At first, the sorbitol solution would have a room temperature. But as the astronauts set point is reduced to 200 C from 370 C, the thermostat will lower the solutions temperature to 100 C.

Active Ducts There are four active ducts, which continuously serve as mean of transportation for enzymes, nutrition and gas. They serve as a complementary organ, an artificial hibernation organ for non-hibernating human. We shall discuss these ducts one by one, starting with gas duct , responsible for oxygen and carbondioxyde transfer ( Duct Alpha ) a. Duct Alpha Inside the hibernacula, duct alpha is connected to a head piece wore by astronaut. It supplies oxygen for astronauts and transports the metabolic wastes (CO2 and H2O (g)).

b. Duct Beta The next three ducts, namely Beta, Gamma and Delta, are connected to a device semi-implanted to astronauts vein. It is important because the substance must continuously injected inside the astronauts. Duct Beta facilitates the transportation of nutrition. It is very important to control the amount of nutrition intake for the astronauts; any excess heat produced would jeopardize the balanced low metabolism. b. Duct Gamma (A and B) Duct gamma A transports anti-tirotropin hormone that inhibits production and activation of tirotropin in the hypothalamus. The dosage of anti-tirotropin controls the rate of metabolism indirectly. This hormone is the main inducer of hibernation. Duct gamma B transports the compounds needed to alter the astronauts set point. The astronauts set point is lowered to almost 200 C, supporting the work of ambient temperature, and the anti-tirotropin to trigger hibernation. d. Duct Delta Duct delta transports the anti-freeze solution, a compound that can prevent the forming of ice crystals in body tissues. Because the core temperature is far from freezing point of water, the dosage of anti-freeze is set at a minimum level.

Thermostat The thermostat controls the temperature of the sorbitol solution, indirectly responsible for the ambient temperature. The thermostat is important for the initiation and termination of hibernation. It is also used as a wake up ring . If something went wrong, for example the spaceship is out of course, the thermostat will automatically raise the ambient temperature, indirectly increase the metabolism rate and put the astronaut out of hibernation.

Sensors Sensors are embedded on the astronauts skin. A remote observation device sends the data to the main computer. Sensors include heart sensor, blood pressure sensor, and blood-glucose concentration sensor. If the hibernation should stop in any way, the sorbitol will be pumped out and the chamber opens automatically.

SECTION IV DISCUSSION Human hibernation is not impossible. Although present technology is still unable to develop proper devices and chemical compounds needed for human hibernation, by a theory it is possible to conduct human hibernation. The major problems are in the chemical compounds. Future experiments must be conducted to search for safer and more efficient compounds necessary for hibernation, The success in human hibernation would benefit mankind in an unimaginable amount. We also need to search new methods for hibernation. May be in the next century, propulsions engineers can develop a rocket that can travel near to the speed of light. Then may be scientists might find a better and safer methods of hibernation. If all of these things are accomplished, space explorations shall reveal the mystery of other stars.

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