Teenagers in Space: mission not impossible
- Paper number
IAC-11,B3,7,8,x9776
- Author
Dr. Igor Fierens, United Kingdom
- Year
2011
- Abstract
A future human space mission objective could involve teenagers flying into space. To enable this we will have to shape the future of processes and procedures. So far it is on no one's agenda to fulfil the wishes of mature and adventurous teenagers about flying into space. The idea is not being backed by the community. However, child solo yachting nowadays is not only condoned, but celebrated. Everyone knows the 13 year old Dutch girl currently circumnavigating the world. An American boy with the same age has recently accomplished climbing the highest summits on every continent. During the Smiths Medical Young Everest Study scientists took a group of children up to very high altitude in view of doing research. Hardly anyone questions the benefit to health risk. We have to take into account that teenagers won't be solo-operators of a flight to space but flight participants. The experience of g-forces during suborbital flights will not be far away from a roller coaster ride The main questions with space exposure for youngsters will revolve around prolonged exposure in space for young bones to zero gravity and higher than normal levels of radiation. Neither of which will be an issue during short suborbital flights at any age due to the short exposure periods. Proper shielding will need to be in place for flights to and stay-over in future facilities in low earth orbit. One day humanity will want to take youngsters into space, first on suborbital flights, later in low earth orbit. However, we can't run before we can walk. To bring this mission to completion at least we should start thinking of it as a feasible possibility. Most probably more possible in the near future than a mission with adults to Mars.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)