Helping Astronauts Stay Healthy

For man to explore outer space it is important for the astronauts to stay healthy. Unfortunately living in outer space is not the most hospitable of experiences and often leads to a number of niggling health related issues. An ongoing science project at the Kansas State University hopes to make it easier for astronauts to monitor their health using bio-sensors.

They are incorporating bio sensors that can help to monitor the state of an astronaut into the spacesuits that they wear. This will bring together the kinesiology department and the apparel, textiles and interior design department in a bid to make the most of bio sensors implanted in the spacesuits.

The science project involves five parts. The first deals with designing bio sensors that can monitor astronauts’ vital data. The second involves making a wireless network that will allow these bi0 sensors to interact with the space station. The third part is working on energy harvesting methods to help provide energy for the bio sensors to function in the spacesuit.

The fourth part deals with actual construction of hardware prototypes for these bio sensors and the energy harvesting electronics. The fifth and last part will involve working on spin off technologies to create new radio technologies and devices which can be adapted and used around the home.