Volunteers Are Needed By NASA To Spend 60 Days In Bed For Almost $20,000

I've found my calling. Sign me up, pls.

Edmund

• Published in News
• April 5, 2019

Not only is space travel expensive but it can be very dangerous. Various aspects of space travel can result in negative impact on the human body.

An example of this is referred to as “puffy-head, bird-legs” syndrome which is where the fluid in you body moves around closer to your head. NASA and ESA have now teamed up to research how the body adapts to weightlessness.

This study requires two dozen volunteers who would be willing to spend 60 days laying down. This would provide information to scientists and help them understand the impacts of space travel on the astronauts. These volunteers would have to travel to Cologne, Germany and would be paid 16,500 euros (more than $18,500).

The 24 participants will travel to the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and remain in bed for two months

There are some requirements for people who wish to take part in this experiment. All participants must be between the ages of 24 to 55, be in good health, speak german and be able to commit to 89 days beginning in September (60 days for the experiment and the remaining days for familiarization and rehabilitation.

The bed

Participants are required to do everything lying down while taking part in the study. This includes eating, going to the bathroom, reading, watching tv and studying (as the organisers encourage participants to take part in some sort of online course and further their education during this time). Any materials required for activities like reading or studying will be provided. During rest, volunteers are required to sleep in a particular position with their legs slightly higher than their head. This will reduce blood flow to the extremities in order to impose muscle deterioration.

Split into groups

Half of the group will occasionally visit a centrifuge in a laboratory. The centrifuge works as an artificial gravity chamber, simulating gravity with the spinning rig. This pushes blood toward the participants’ lower extremities. This will assist scientists in seeing whether the simulator was at all helpful in minimizing the effects of lying down in one position for an extended period of time.

This is the newly introduced DLR Short-Arm Centrifuge that will be used during the research.

While it is obvious the information gathered from the use of the machine will help volunteers and astronauts, what is less known is it will also assist those suffering with osteoporosis, muscular atrophy, and cardiovascular diseases by providing insight into their conditions.

Counteracting the effects on the body

The extended period spent in space results in the muscles deteriorating, bones becoming less dense and blood flowing differently throughout the body. To fight this, regular exercise is provided but scientist involved hope that artificial gravity will be more beneficial.

the team on site will include a medical, psychotherapeutic, scientific professionals and a nutritionist

A nutritionist will plan meals for the participants. Meals will include no no additives and artificial sweeteners whilst also being a balanced nutritional meal. Occasional desserts will also be provided to those who wish for something sweeter.

Here’s what others had to say about these tests...

Haha so do I.

The more time the better...

... for me to sleep.

We’ve found the one person who wouldn’t enjoy the experiment.

Ok, this commenter has a fair point.

Will do Sarah. You go get the sleep I’m sure you deserve.

Is it a troll?

To be fair, I’m willing to bet anyone reading this is in need of a sleep.

What is your thoughts on this experiment? Would you want to be a part of it?

Edmund