Until space travel catches up to
2001-level technology, space sickness is likely to remain a problem -- and astronauts can't exactly accomplish a lot when they're keeled over a space toilet a good part of the day. So, as you can see from this picture, NASA is willing to take any steps necessary -- no matter how hillarious -- to keep their astronauts healthy. These two lucky test subjects are seen catching a ride on the infamous "vomit comet." The goggles work by simulating strobe-lighting effects, which have been proven to reduce motion sickness by freezing images on the retina. The idea is for astronauts to wear the goggles for the early part of their mission, until they get better acclimated to weightlessness -- after which we presume they'll be used for all-night space disco parties. But don't think astronauts get all the fun, a company is also developing the goggles for weak-stomached earth-bound travellers.
posted May 19th 2006 1:26PM
Has the added benefit of making you look like Scuba Steve, sweet!
Looks like they have ViewMasters glued to their faces. Man, I'd love to go on that vomit comet. Looks like a blast. Outside of the power booting, of course.
Are those barf bags hanging out all of their pockets?
Alright - space raves! Can I be the DJ?
I love how the woman on the right is clutching to the little red-button-on-a-stick for dear life. It's the "I just threw up because these goggles blow" button
the goggles!!! THEY DO NOTHING!!!!
"Space sickness" is actually Radiation sickness. The sun gives out mass amounts of radiation and the closer you are to it, the more you are exposed. The O-Zone layer blocks out alot of radiation but even when you get closer to it (taking a flight) you get "Jet Lag" which is nothing more than a small amount of Radiation Disease. Pilots that fly jets in the navy and army have to go to the sick bay for anywhere from 1 to 3 days even sometimes after high altitude missions/tasks because of the higeher amounts of radiation they've been exposed to. So causeing motion sickness might help a bit, but they're still gonna be sick while microscopic particles are ripping through thier body like a shotgun burst.
Jet lag is not radiation sickness. It is temporal maladjustment: your body cycles aren't used to the day cycle of your new location, because you travelled much faster than the sun in order to get there. You feel sleepy at your regular time, but you're in a different time zone. This places you under stress as you push your body to be awake during times which match your current time zone. Then when you fly back, you have to do it again. The stress and sleepiness linger for another few days, and you're more likely to catch an illness or make mistakes until your body comes back in tune with the sun again.
Being space-sick is also not radiation sickness. You don't barf on the Vomit Comet just because you got close to the Van Allen belts - it doesn't fly that high! You vomit due to disorientation-induced nausea. Some people never get space-sick. If it *were* due to radiation, don't you think NASA would be focusing more of their resources on treatments and methods for easing or preventing damage from high-energy particles?
Now, high-altitude flights, especially long term ventures for such things as reconnaisance, as well as spending more than a few hours in outer space (or suffering through the wash of a solar flare), *are* likely to expose you to sufficient radiation that you can get mildly sick from it - provided you have inadequate shielding. Most aircraft are designed to fly fast and/or high, not block beta particles.
Blocking radiation is a significant factor for orbital and lunar habitats, as well as space flight for durations of weeks or months (such as a trip to Mars will require). NASA is researching this as well, but primarily to find ways to protect long-term habitation areas with materials lightweight enough to be launched from Earth or easily gathered in near-Earth space (such as bricks made from lunar soil).
Aaron, I'd like to invite you to reply with a better argument, or at least link to a few convincing documents as proof that such illness really is caused by radiation.
Post #3 - Yup, i think that NASA would rather make them have barf bags than have them spewing all over a multi-million dollar "Vomit-Comit"
Post #6 - You watch far too much simpsons
Post #8 - interesting
Why do they test it on senior citizens ? LOL
If it is called a vomit-comit (and meant to simulate the take off and landing of a rocket) you think that they'd have more than just one ford-quality (crap)waist-high seat-belt...
Hey post 5 - If i worked there i'd rig the button to make it go faster!
Hey post 11 - its because at least they won't remember it in a week's time...
Good Site