Astronaut health research takes flight – how will avatars help?
NASA's Artemis II mission will carry a unique research tool: AVATAR, a virtual astronaut tissue analog. This innovative technology simulates human tissue response to deep space conditions. Scientists hope to gain crucial insights into astronaut health during long-duration missions.
AVATAR isn't a physical being; it's a sophisticated model. It will provide data on how tissues react to radiation and other space stressors. Over 100 sensors will monitor the AVATAR's response.
The Artemis II crew, launching no earlier than November 2024, will essentially double as test subjects. This allows for real-time comparison with simulated data, accelerating research.
This groundbreaking experiment aims to mitigate health risks for future deep space explorers. Understanding tissue responses is vital for ensuring astronaut well-being as we venture further into the cosmos.
