Submission + - Danger, Will Robinson (discovery.com)
conlaw writes: In a headline reminiscent of the classic TV series, "Lost in Space," Discovery News declares, "Hibernation Method Tested for Space Travel." The reality, however, is somewhat less impressive than the headline. It does appear that some sort of slowing bodily functions would be helpful if astronauts were to go on longer journeys, such as the three-year voyage that would be required to reach Mars. First, hibernation or the like would serve to alleviate the tensions caused by having several people forced to remain together in the confines of a space ship for months on end. Also, slowing the astronauts' vital functions would not only reduce the amount of provisions needed to supply them with food, oxygen and other necessities but would also diminish the amount of byproducts produced by the comsumption of those supplies. At this point, it appears that hydrogen sulfide ("rotten egg gas") might furnish an answer. Mice who were exposed to the gas showed a much lower metabolism without experiencing some of the life-threatening problems associated with other methods such as extreme cooling. The scientists plan to keep testing the gas with larger animals long before experimenting on astronauts.
