Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32184: Studying Long-Term Sleep Cycles in Space: A Look at NASA’s Ongoing Research

When humans live in space for months at a time, how do their sleep patterns change? This is a question of critical importance to space agencies, as sleep directly impacts health, cognition, mood, and mission performance.

The experiment titled Sleep-Wake Actigraphy and Light Exposure During Spaceflight-Long was conducted over several long-duration missions on the International Space Station. Led by Drs. Charles Czeisler and Laura Barger of Harvard Medical School, this research examined how extended stays in space affect circadian alignment and sleep health.

Astronauts aboard the ISS are constantly exposed to artificial lighting and experience rapid transitions from daylight to darkness due to orbiting Earth multiple times a day. This can disrupt their natural circadian rhythms. The research used wearable actigraphy devices to collect data on astronauts' sleep/wake patterns, light exposure, and activity levels.

The objective was to understand how sleep quality and circadian timing shift over long missions and how lighting interventions could improve sleep outcomes. Using this information, scientists could refine onboard lighting systems and schedules to better match circadian needs.

The experiment provided critical insights into how to maintain astronaut well-being during extended space missions, such as those planned for Mars or deep-space exploration. This work also enhances our understanding of human biology under non-Earth conditions and supports the design of healthier living environments for both space and Earth.

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