Testosterone Research for Mars Missions

• Dr. Randall Urban investigating testosterone for muscle/bone growth in zero gravity
• Testosterone hormone primarily responsible for bone/muscle protection
• Double-blind study with bed rest test subjects (Frank, Daniel)
  • Regular testosterone injections given to half of exercising subjects
  • No one knows who receives testosterone vs placebo
  • One exercise group performing significantly better (suspected testosterone group)
• Daniel monitored for 70 days for bone/muscle mass changes
• Study results will determine if Mars astronauts should take testosterone doses

Testosterone Risks and Concerns

• Testosterone is steroid/primary male sex hormone
• Women astronauts face side effects: development of male characteristics
• Unknown if women can take sufficient testosterone without acquiring beards/deep voices
• Concerns about emotional health of competitive men taking steroids in confined space

Psychological Monitoring Systems

• Mental health identified as greatest Mars mission challenge
• Scenario: months in small space with same people, limited entertainment, unchanging view
• Depression/social isolation risks crew safety and mission success
• Cognitive impairment poses risks to entire crew

Facial Recognition Technology

• Dr. Dingas developing onboard camera surveillance system
• New facial recognition software identifies mental state indicators
• Key facial tracking points:
  • Jawline for face orientation
  • Lips for expressions (frowns, smiles)
  • Eyes (hugely expressive in humans)

Fatigue Detection Technology

• Eyelid closure speed most reliable fatigue measure (better than brain waves)
• Levator palpebrae muscle in eyelid tracked by green boxes
• Blink speed slows by 100-300 thousandths of second when tired
• Computer measures with precision (invisible to human observation)
• Slow blinks indicate high likelihood of attention lapses
• Algorithm feeds aggregate data to humans for mission section analysis

Radiation Protection Challenges

• Cosmic rays from deep space constant threat
• Solar storms emit gamma rays, x-rays, particles strong enough to kill
• Earth protected by magnetic field from iron core creating magnetosphere
• Magnetosphere deflects dangerous solar particles, allows life-giving sunshine

Space Radiation Threats

• Solar flares: massive radiation bursts and high-energy protons
• Can cause radiation sickness, DNA damage, mutations, cancer
• Galactic cosmic rays: high-energy particles from distant exploding stars
• Affect brain cell growth, induce memory loss after 6 months in space
• Astronauts cannot hide from constant cosmic ray exposure

Radiation Shielding Solutions

• Jeff Sero investigating optimal radiation-absorbing materials
• Water-filled garment concept: astronaut with water wall in wearable garment
• Water serves dual purpose: radiation protection + drinking/contingency supply
• Reduces mass penalty by doubling function
• Food packaging bags unfold to form protective walls
• 36-hour solar particle event protection strategy: place items between astronaut and radiation source
• More items = better radiation attenuation

Genetic Screening Potential

• Theoretical possibility of genetic markers for radiation resistance
• Could identify people less susceptible to radiation damage
• Too early in research to speculate
• Investigation planned for next few years of program