Abstract
Human Space exploration has created new challenges and new opportunities for science. Reaching beyond the Earth’s surface has raised the issue of the importance of gravity for the development and the physiology of biological systems, while giving scientists the tools to study the mechanisms of response and adaptation to the microgravity environment. As life has evolved under the constant influence of gravity, gravity affects biological systems at a very fundamental level. Owing to limited access to spaceflight platforms, scientists rely heavily on on-ground facilities that reproduce, to a different extent, microgravity or its effects. However, the technical constraints of counterbalancing the gravitational force on Earth add complexity to data interpretation. In-flight experiments are also not without their challenges, including additional stressors, such as cosmic radiation and lack of convection. It is thus extremely important in Space biology to design experiments in a way that maximizes the scientific return and takes into consideration all the variables of the chosen setup, both on-ground or on orbit. This review provides a critical analysis of current ground-based and spaceflight facilities. In particular, the focus was given to experimental design to offer the reader the tools to select the appropriate setup and to appropriately interpret the results.
Highlights
Space exploration has deep scientific implications that are not solely astrophysical, and biological
head-down tilt (HDT) better simulates the head-ward fluids shifts in Space, where blood is redistributed from the legs to the head (Figure 2a) and, at present, HDT bed rest is the most common analogue for the simulation of microgravity
Microgravity analogues reproduce the effects of microgravity on physiological rodent hindlimb unloading (HU); and (e) unilateral lower limb suspension (ULLS)
Summary
Space exploration has deep scientific implications that are not solely astrophysical, and biological. Earth shape life and how organisms are affected by the Space environment (microgravity, radiation, etc.). For example, microgravity induces important physiological alterations, such as muscle atrophy [8], bone loss [9], cardiovascular deconditioning [10,11], immunological [12,13], cerebrovascular [14] and cognitive alterations [15,16], and metabolic problems [17] In some cases, these physiological alterations can adversely affect performance and health in astronauts, both during and after the mission. The importance of an adequate understanding of the physiological responses of living organisms to microgravity has grown since the beginning of human Space exploration. We highlighted the practical aspects of biological payload integration on the ISS
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
