Introduction
Since the International Space Station became suitable for human habitation, research has been initiated to establish the effects of space and microgravity on various phenomena of human life. Undoubtedly, space exploration breakthroughs have immensely contributed to the betterment of human life. Conspicuous evidence of the benefits of space tours to human life include: advances in human health, education, earth observation, telemedicine, and disaster management among others.
The Role of Human Health
The International Space Exploration has provided a unique platform for carrying out the impact on human health, earth, and beyond. Research has been conducted on the station to provide a better understanding of the phenomena of human health such as the environment, aging, disease, and trauma.
Physiological and biological tests have produced vital results and, therefore, improving our comprehension of the series of physiological events that are usually shielded by gravity and invention of new and advanced medical technology and procedures, including telemedicine, cell behaviour, disease models, and nutrition.
The Canadian Space Agency (2012) gives an inspiring narration of how a robotic arm has successfully performed a brain surgery. In 2008, Paige Nickason became the first brain tumor patient to receive surgery from a robot. Since then, numerous patients have received surgeries from the neuroArm. The development of the neuroArm owes a lot of credit to space exploration.
For a long time, robots have constituted a major component of space technologies and currently, the technology is being tailored to provide medical solutions as evidenced in the neuroArm. mcDolnard, Dettwiller and Associates Limited has made enormous advances in designing a two-armed neuroArm and developing a tele-operated surgery unit for children. Furthermore, the company is developing an image-guided independent robot system for the early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
One of the major health challenges associated with space exploration is kidney stones and bone loss for astronauts during long stays on space. Astronauts have had to participate in regular physical exercises to counter the problem. In a bid to provide more efficient solutions to bone loss and renal dysfunction, astronauts take biophosphonate, vitamin D, and Calcium respectively. The precautions for promoting astronauts health have provided insights for treating osteoporosis in Canada and other parts of the world (Canadian Space Agency, 2012).
Space exploration and its associated technology have also improved the health of humanity through the invention of asthma management devices. The European Space Agency has developed a device for establishing the level of nitrogen monoxide, a major cause of lung inflammation, in exhaled air. The devise has been found to be beneficial to asthma patients since it assists in monitoring and managing the levels of asthma prevention and suitability of medication (Canadian Space Agency, 2012).
Safe drinking water is essential to human life. Regrettably, many people all over the globe fall short of access to clean and safe water. Space technology has led to the development of improved water filtration and cleaning systems. The advances in the water treatment and recovery process provide a lasting solution to people experiencing water shortages in Canadians and across the globe (Canadian Space Agency, 2012). These are among the many contributions of space technology to the improvement of human health.
The Role of Space Technology in Earth Observation
Advances in space exploration, particularly the creation of the International Space Station, has enhanced the observation of the globe to provide better comprehension and solutions to environmental matters on earth (Neil, 2011). The Space Station provides a suitable location for viewing the globe’s ecosystems.
The observations provide vital insights on the earth’s climate, environmental changes, and natural disasters. According to the Canadian Space Agency (2012), space technology has been vital for advances in remote sensing. In particular, the inception of the International Space Station has provided thousands of images of the globe’s surface, oceans, atmosphere, and the moon.
Space technology has also been vital in the provision of real time data. This has been instrumental particularly in providing information on natural disasters including tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. The Canadian Space Agency (2012) acknowledges that the observation of the globe from space complements human operated systems and provides insightful information on the global environment.
The Canadians and other space agencies in the globe use the International Space Station to back research aimed at providing understanding and insight into climate change. The Space Station has provided a suitable platform for viewing atmospheric changes and movements, the earth’s surface, and oceans. For the past one and a half century, human endeavors have caused substantial changes in the earth’s environment.
These include the greenhouse effect, alteration of the nitrogen cycle, and destruction of land cover. Space exploration is instrumental in providing understanding of the relationship between human activities and changes in the globe’s climate. This information forms the bedrock for engineering sustainable developments for Canadians and the rest of humanity (Canadian Space Agency, 2012).
Even with the enormous milestones made in space travel, it still possesses serious threats to the health of the astronauts. Cosmic and radiations from the sun pose a serious health hazard to the astronauts. The radiations are ingredients for fatal cancer, the nervous system, and heart dysfunction. Other health problems associated with space travel include: bone loss, fainting spells on getting back to the earth’s gravity, cognitive problems, impaired cardiovascular functioning, muscle atrophy, and cabin fever (Canadian Space Agency, 2012).
Conclusion
Although space visits have been posing serious health hazard to the astronauts, space travel has continued to impact on human life since its inception. Humanity owes a lot to the International Space Station as regards to educational, scientific, and technological milestones that have been achieved.
It has inspired the development of medical equipment and procedures to solve some of the disturbing health issues with more precision. A better understanding of our habitat and the earth could not be achieved without the aid of space travel. In addition, the study of sciences, mathematics, engineering, and technology could not be motivating and interesting in the absence of space travel.
References
Canadian Space Agency. (2012). International Space Station Benefits for Humanity. Web.
Neil, M. (2011). What Does Space Exploration Do for Us? London: Capstone Global Library