Could we survive prolonged space travel? - Lisa Nip
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/could-we-survive-prolonged-space-travel-lisa-nip Prolonged space travel plays a severe toll on the human body: ...
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Prolonged space travel takes a severe toll on the human body. Microgravity impairs muscle and bone growth, and high doses of radiation cause irreversible mutations. As we seriously consider the human species becoming space-faring, a big question stands. Even if we break free from Earth's orbit and embark on long-duration journeys among the stars, can we adapt to the extreme environments of space? This won't be the first time that humans have adapted to harsh environments and evolved superhuman capabilities. Not fantastical powers like laser vision or invisibility, but physiological adaptations for survival in tough conditions. For example, on the Himalayan mountains where the highest elevation is nine kilometers above sea level, an unacclimated lowland human will experience sy...
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Prolonged space travel takes a severe toll on the human body. Microgravity impairs muscle and bone growth, and high doses of radiation cause irreversible mutations. As we seriously consider the human species becoming space-faring, a big question stands. Even if we break free from Earth's orbit and embark on long-duration journeys among the stars, can we adapt to the extreme environments of space? This won't be the first time that humans have adapted to harsh environments and evolved superhuman capabilities. Not fantastical powers like laser vision or invisibility, but physiological adaptations for survival in tough conditions. For example, on the Himalayan mountains where the highest elevation is nine kilometers above sea level, an unacclimated lowland human will experience sy...
