The European Space Agency has been studying the possibility of developing hibernation modules for astronauts for several months.
The idea is to protect the body of astronauts during space travel over long distances, while also preserving their mental health and the psychological difficulties that life in a confined space can induce for several months of travel.
To be precise, it is not really hibernation, but rather hibernation, a method inspired by what bears and certain animal species apply on Earth in winter. This would reduce the metabolism of astronauts to reduce the need for oxygen, food and water. In its study, the ESA evoked a considerable advantage on the savings made in equipment and foodstuffs during the trip, when we know that every gram counts.
Chilean researchers have looked into the subject and more particularly into the relationship between body mass and energy expenditure in hibernating animals. According to them, the ESA would not have applied the correct formula to carry out its calculations in order to define the lifespan of astronauts in space, nor the limit iron from which hibernation becomes ineffective.
Based on animals that hibernate, we find that small mammals tend to save a lot more energy than large ones. A marsupial of 45 grams would thus save 76% of its energy during the process, this climbs to 98% in the brown bat and the pygmy opossum.
On the other hand, the big bears do not really save energy during hibernation, but lose it: they draw on the fat reserves made before winter and finally the process is above all akin to normal sleep. .
By carrying out models and projections, it appears that man could not really be able to make savings during the hibernation process, which for the moment removes all interest in the method.
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