Effects of Microgravity

Project Objective:
This project focused on how microgravity affects the human body during space travel. We were assigned specific organs to research, and our goal was to understand how these systems change in microgravity and what long-term effects they could have on astronauts. The project emphasized the importance of biological considerations in space mission planning.
Design/Project Process:
Working with a partner, we researched the impacts of microgravity on a single organ system. We explored both the negative effects like fluid redistribution, muscle atrophy, or bone density loss and the ways scientists and engineers are working to prevent or reverse these outcomes. We also looked into current countermeasures being used on the International Space Station and included those findings in our final presentation.
What I Learned:
This project helped me understand how gravity affects human physiology and why it's such a big factor in mission design. I learned that even short-term exposure to microgravity can impact internal systems, and that engineers and scientists have to constantly plan for these biological changes. It also gave me a better understanding of how space medicine is used to keep astronauts healthy during long-term missions.
Personal Reflection:
Even though this was one of the simpler projects, I think it had one of the biggest impacts on my understanding of real-world aerospace challenges. It showed me how serious the health risks are in space and how deeply engineers have to think about human limitations when designing spacecraft or planning missions. It made me realize that every project I work on in the future should include human safety as a top priority. Whether it's a control system or a life-support unit, planning for human error or health emergencies is just as important as getting the math and physics right.