Have you ever asked yourself why do astronauts need spacesuits? What’s so bad about gravity? Why do we need special equipment to climb Mount Everest? Is it that bad for your health to spend time in low-gravity conditions?
If you are anything like us, these questions have probably crossed your mind at some point. After all, who doesn’t want to know more about space, the Earth, and everything in between? As it turns out, there are quite a few things we don’t know about gravity.
As it also happens, there is much to love and fear about this phenomenon. Now comes the hard part—we will try our best to answer these questions in as few words as possible!
What’s so bad about gravity?
Well, first, let’s talk about what’s so good about gravity. Gravity is a fundamental force that acts on every single thing that exists. Most importantly, it keeps everything together.
The formation of the solar system, allowed planets to form with their unique shapes and chemical compositions—the same goes for moons and other smaller celestial objects.
It holds us to our planet; it’s what keeps us “grounded” to Earth. That is until we decide to travel into space, where gravity is noticeably missing.
Why do astronauts need spacesuits?
First, let’s discuss the difference between a spacesuit and a spacesuit. The former is the general term for a suit designed for use in space. It’s what NASA and other space agencies use for extravehicular activities—that is, any tasks performed outside a spacecraft.
For example, it’s what astronauts use to go on spacewalks to perform repairs on the International Space Station. Because of the harshness of space, the suit must be made of materials capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, high radiation levels, and a lack of air and water.
The latter is a spacesuit that is made of a pressurized fabric (not a real spacesuit). It is often used for clothing, toys, and costumes because it is easy to manufacture and maintain.
Why do people need acclimatization to Everest?
We’ve already established that gravity is what holds us to the Earth. The higher you go from the surface of the planet, the less gravity you feel. In fact, at the top of Everest mountain, there’s only about a third of the gravity that we experience in the lower areas of the planet.
This all goes back to what we mentioned earlier—the human body relies heavily on the force of gravity to operate as it should. That is, our muscles and bones require a significant amount of force to stay healthy.
That’s why low-gravity environments have a huge impact on the way our bodies operate. For example, the reduced force of gravity can cause your muscles and bones to weaken.
Why are there low-gravity conditions in space?
As we mentioned, gravity is what holds us to the Earth. Unfortunately, it also keeps us from going any higher than that—unless you want to risk your life. Unfortunately, because there is a lot of matter on our planet, it creates a huge amount of gravitational force.
That is, it attracts everything to itself. It’s what keeps us from leaving the planet. That’s why we need special equipment and techniques to travel beyond our atmosphere. There are many ways to get into space.
All of them require a large amount of energy and money, so only a few people have ever been beyond the Earth’s orbit.
Is it that bad for your health to be in a low-gravity environment?
This is where it gets fascinating. Physically, astronauts experience a decrease in bone density and muscle atrophy, causing them to return to Earth with reduced strength and function. There is also a higher risk of injury during the return to Earth because of decreased muscle strength.
What’s annoying is that these conditions are irreversible, meaning that they will likely stay with astronauts for the rest of their lives. Mentally speaking, low-gravity environments have proven to increase anxiety and stress, induce depression, and increase the risk of mental breakdown.
These are just some many side effects of spending time in low-gravity environments. It’s important to remember that every human is different, and some may experience these side effects to a greater degree than others.
Conclusion
All in all, gravity is a pretty amazing phenomenon. It is what holds us to the Earth and keeps everything together. Physically, it allows our muscles and bones to remain healthy. Mentally, it induces a sense of calmness and relaxation.
Gravity is what makes the planets rotate, the stars glow, and the universe expands. It is what makes our hearts beat, our blood flow, and our lungs breathe. Gravity is everything.
