‘Cosmic Hibernation’: Blood of this animal can help humans survive deep space travel: Study
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Introduction to the Discovery
Scientists from Greifswald University, Germany, are studying bat blood as a potential key to enabling human interstellar travel. The research focuses on how certain red blood cells (erythrocytes) in bats might help humans survive the challenging conditions of space travel, including prolonged cold and reduced resource needs.
The Challenge of Space Travel
Space presents unique threats to human survival, such as exposure to radiation and the vacuum of space. A possible solution lies in inducing hibernation-like states in astronauts, reducing their metabolic activity and resource requirements for long-duration missions.
Role of Bats in Space Research
Bats, known for hibernating in extremely cold environments, possess erythrocytes that maintain normal function and elasticity even in low temperatures. This adaptation is now being explored for its potential applications in human physiology.
Comparing Human and Bat Blood
Researchers compared erythrocytes from two hibernating bat species with those found in humans. Unlike human blood cells, which become viscous and less flexible in cold conditions, bat blood cells retain elasticity and normal behavior.
Significance of Bat Blood’s Adaptation
The study highlights how the unique properties of bat erythrocytes could inspire new techniques to protect human bodies during interstellar travel. These adaptations could theoretically enable astronauts to withstand long-duration missions by lowering body temperatures safely.
Current Limitations and Challenges
While the findings offer promise, researchers acknowledge the complexity of replicating bat blood’s behavior in humans. Gerald Kerth, the study’s lead author, emphasized that practical applications are still years away, describing it as a preliminary but significant step.
Potential Benefits for Space Missions
Successfully inducing a hibernation-like state in humans could reduce the need for oxygen, food, and other resources during missions to distant planets or galaxies, making long-term space exploration more feasible.
Future Prospects in Space Exploration
Although the implementation of this research is still speculative, it lays the groundwork for innovative solutions to make interstellar travel a reality. If scientists can translate these findings into practical applications, it could transform human capabilities in exploring the cosmos.