Antoni Perez-Poch: Research in microgravity: Computational space medicine

In this seminar we will have a look into the interesting area of aerospace
medicine and its relation with computer science applications. How can we get
to know better the behavior of human physiology in microgravity when
experimental opportunities are scarce, in particular for long-term scenarios?
We will first introduce this multidisciplinary research area and the
experimental platforms available. A summary of the known and yet-to-be-known
effects on human health when considering crewed low-orbit and space missions
will be introduced. Recent experiments conducted in parabolic flight by our
group on immunology and human reproduction are discussed.

We will focus on results from a Computational Model (NELME: Numerical
Estimation of Long-term Modified-gravity effects) of the cardiovascular system
deconditioning under modified gravity exposure. Orthostatic hypotension is a
well-known risk that may put a human mission into jeopardy due to the effects
caused by a transition from long-term hypogravity to sudden gravity exposure.
This factor is mitigated when astronauts return to Earth because of external
medical help is available but it may be a problem when landing on Mars or
other deep space scenarios. We simulate a number of different mission
scenarios at different gravity levels. Parameters of the model have been
calculated and results have been validated from available experimental data
from previous experiments in parabolic flights and experiments with diverse
exposure to different gravity loads. Results show that vascular resistance is
not mitigated by Moon or Mars gravity from two weeks to nine-months exposure.
Results of the intensive numerical simulations show a at response of the
vascular resistance when returning to the Earth gravity until g=0.45 g(Earth).
Then the response is nearly lineal until g=0.78 g(Earth) when normal values
from g(Earth) are recovered. Aerobic exercise is not enough to fully
compensate this decondition, with women benefitting more than men. A total
risk of putting a human mission in jeopardy is then estimated based on NASA
standards, showing that a Mars mission returning to Earth is still safe to be
conducted in accordance with previous studies. Other Moon-based scenarios are
estimated as well. This model has been successful in estimating the risks
associated with cardiovascular deconditioning in human long-term missions in
space. Other existing models are compared.

Future implications of later developments such as Artificial Intelligence
applied to astronautics, as well as educational and outreach parabolic flight
campaigns conducted in Sabadell Airport by our laboratory will be finally
discussed.