Comments on: Over-the-counter osteoporosis drug appears to keep astronauts from losing bone density on long space flights https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/over-the-counter-osteoporosis-drug-appears-to-keep-astronauts-from-losing-bone-density-on-long-space-flights/ Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:41:25 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Kelly Starks https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/over-the-counter-osteoporosis-drug-appears-to-keep-astronauts-from-losing-bone-density-on-long-space-flights/#comment-33223 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 03:41:25 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=13525#comment-33223 Agree Patrick, zero G hurts muscle, immune function, cardio vascular, etc. So bone loss alone is just window dresing.

]]> By: Patrick Ritchie https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/over-the-counter-osteoporosis-drug-appears-to-keep-astronauts-from-losing-bone-density-on-long-space-flights/#comment-33168 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:19:45 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=13525#comment-33168 It continues to boggle my mind that more research into artificial gravity isn’t going on. Gemini 11 proved the basic principle (albeit only generating 0.00015 g…), but since then I’m not aware of any experiments being flown.

Even if the bone loss issue can be addressed with drugs, weightlessness has plenty of other undesirable effects on the human body.

Also, without variable gravity research we have no way of knowing what the effects 1/3rd or 1/6th gravity (Mars or Moon) might have.

]]> By: Craig Beasley https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/over-the-counter-osteoporosis-drug-appears-to-keep-astronauts-from-losing-bone-density-on-long-space-flights/#comment-33158 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:32:46 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=13525#comment-33158 This is great news. The only disagreement that I have is in regards to artificial gravity and our technological incapability generate such an environment. All we really need is an acceleration bearing down on the human body, though we don’t know exactly how much is required to keep bone and muscle density within a normal range.

Space missions with constant thrust would provide such an acceleration. VASIMR Rocket missions, that sort of thing. If we can use these medications to bolster the beneficial effects of any induced accelerations to simulate a gravity vector, then we have indeed removed one of the major impediments to long-term, deep-space crewed missions.

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