The first person to step on Moon it was a man. In fact, the only 12 people who have visited our satellite were men, despite the fact that Valentina Tereshkova has already shown that female astronauts can also exist. Therefore, it has long been decided that next mission to the moon mixed and that the next person to step on it would be a woman. The same goes for first trip to mars. already thought about women and people of color become part of the crew and break with the discrimination they were subjected to in the space race. However, according to a new study, it would be necessary to go even more radical and resort to an all-female crew.
But it’s not just about redeeming past prejudices. It will be a decision based solely on science.
In addition, this study is based on the principles of other studies conducted in 1950s. At the time, female astronauts were thought to be better suited to go into space, do the necessary work, and return as healthy as possible. However, no one was chosen for the first trips. Will science be taken into account more this time?
Why are female astronauts better?
In the 1950s, studies concluded that female astronauts smaller and lighter bodiesSo need less calories and oxygen. This would save resources for travel, which at the time was practically a proof of concept. But the matter did not stop there. Their reproductive system was thought to be more resistant to radiation so that they could return to Earth. still fertile. We must not forget that the ovaries are inside the body, and the testicles are outside, so they are much more exposed.
In the new study that has just been done, fertility was not taken into account, but saving resources. In particular, energy consumption, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide release and water demand in a group of men and women were analyzed. Thus, it was seen that in men, the total energy consumption increases by 30%, oxygen consumption by 60%, carbon dioxide production also by 60%, water demand by 17%.
Instead, the numbers for female astronauts were much lower. In addition, they did not increase as suddenly as their size increased. Indeed, if we take into account the average size of men and women in the United States, then the latter would have a 41 percent reduction nutrient requirements and oxygen production.
Will this be taken into account for flights to Mars?
People have already been to the moon. Only men did this, but many women were on the technical teams that brought them to our satellite. Getting back there as safely as possible is a rather difficult task, but we are already on our way, especially since the Artemis program has been launched.
However, people they have never been to mars. The journey will be dangerous and something new, as when those calculations were made in the 50s, so this new study is especially interesting in view of this journey, in which resources must be optimized as much as possible. Does this mean that the first expedition to the red planet will consist of only female astronauts? Probably no. But at least we now know that with science in hand it would be the best option. At least that’s something to consider.
Source: Hiper Textual
