Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32182: Long-term Sleep Monitoring: Studying the Impact of Spaceflight on Sleep Patterns

Sleep is vital for human health and well-being, and it’s even more important for astronauts who are involved in long-duration space missions. The 'Long-term Sleep Monitoring Before, During, and After Extended Spaceflight' experiment, led by Dr. Preben Kidmose of Aarhus University, seeks to understand how space travel affects sleep patterns and the underlying physiological processes.

The experiment, which spanned multiple expeditions from 69 through 73, focused on monitoring astronauts’ sleep before, during, and after their missions to the International Space Station (ISS). The researchers measured a range of factors, including sleep duration, sleep quality, and the impact of microgravity on sleep cycles.

In space, astronauts face numerous challenges to getting a restful night’s sleep, such as the lack of a natural day-night cycle, constant noise from machinery, and the physical discomfort caused by microgravity. These factors can lead to sleep disturbances, which can have significant effects on astronaut performance and health.

By better understanding how space affects sleep, this experiment aims to improve strategies for mitigating sleep disruptions during future long-duration missions. The findings could also contribute to developing techniques and technologies to improve sleep for individuals on Earth who suffer from sleep disorders.

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