America’s first manned space flight in 1961 lasted all of 15 minutes, but over the decades humans have spent an increasing amount of time in space. Now, as NASA eyes trips to Mars, that period may lengthen into years. Are humans ready and suited for longer life in space? Filmmaker Jean-Christophe Ribot’s PBS-aired documentary explores human fitness to live in prolonged periods of weightlessness, with relatively limited social interaction, and isolation from the sights, sounds, and smells of life on Earth. The first problem that astronauts encounter with weightlessness is nausea, coping with an environment in which there is no up or down. Indeed, one astronaut was rendered completely unproductive by nausea during his six-day trip. The next problem is muscle loss and a weakening of bones. Astronauts must be vigilant about working out, striving to remain terrestrial in the world of outer space (of course, the heart is also a muscle, so astronauts must be in top shape before launch). And the artificial lighting and controlled air can feel monotonous, especially without any sounds of nature. The documentary presents insights from Russian, Japanese, French, Italian, and American astronauts, who discuss sensory deprivation and dealing with occasional boredom and depression. On the positive side, most experience an awe and wonder looking at Earth from space, while using coping mechanisms to handle the broken bond with home. Humans are social animals, but being comfortable alone is essential. Women comprise only 10 percent of astronauts, but maintaining boundaries while performing bodily functions is a challenge, although the question of sexual relations during long spaceflights must wait for a future era. Offering an interesting look at these "guinea pigs of science," this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)
Homo Spatius
(2018) 60 min. DVD: $24.99 ($54.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-5317-1006-4. Volume 34, Issue 5
Homo Spatius
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