Death in space: Here’s what would happen to our bodies
[ad_1]
This article was originally published at The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com’s Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.
Tim Thompson, Dean of Health & Life Sciences + Professor of Applied Biological Anthropology, Teesside University, the U.K.
As space travel for recreational purposes is becoming a very real possibility, there could come a time when we are travelling to other planets for holidays, or perhaps even to live. Commercial space company Blue Origin has already started sending paying customers on sub-orbital flights. And Elon Musk hopes to start a base on Mars with his firm SpaceX.
This means we need to start thinking about what it will be like to live in space – but also what will happen if someone dies there.
After death here on Earth the human body progresses through a number of stages of decomposition. These were described as early as 1247 in Song Ci’s The Washing Away of Wrongs, essentially the first forensic science handbook.
First the blood stops flowing and begins to pool as a result of gravity, a process known as livor mortis. Then the body cools to algor mortis, and the muscles stiffen due to uncontrolled build-up of calcium in the muscle fibres. This is the state of rigor mortis. Next enzymes, proteins which speed up chemical reactions, break down cell walls releasing their contents.
At the same time, the bacteria in our gut escape and spread throughout the body. They devour the soft tissues – putrefaction – and the gases they release cause the body to swell. Rigor mortis is undone as the muscles are destroyed, strong smells are emitted and the soft tissues are broken down.
These decomposition processes are the intrinsic factors, but there are also external factors which influence the process of decomposition, including temperature, insect activity, burying or wrapping a body, and the presence of fire or water.
Mummification, the desiccation or drying out of the body, occurs in dry conditions which can be hot or cold.
In damp environments without oxygen, adipocere formation can occur, where the water can cause the breakdown of fats into a waxy material through the process of hydrolysis. This waxy coating can act as a barrier on top of the skin to protect and preserve it.
But in most cases, the soft tissues will ultimately disappear to reveal the skeleton. These hard tissues are much more resilient and can survive for thousands of years.
Halting decomposition
So, what about death in the final frontier?
Well, the different gravity seen on other planets will certainly impact the livor mortis stage, and the lack of gravity while floating in space would mean that blood would not pool.
Inside a spacesuit, rigor mortis would still occur since it is the result of the cessation of bodily functions. And bacteria from the gut would still devour the soft tissues. But these bacteria need oxygen to function properly and so limited supplies of air would significantly slow down the process.
Microbes from the soil also help decomposition, and so any planetary environment that inhibits microbial action, such as extreme dryness, improves the chances of soft tissue preserving.
Decomposition in conditions so different from the Earth’s environment means that external factors would be more complicated, such as with the skeleton. When we are alive, bone is a living material comprising both organic materials like blood vessels and collagen, and inorganic materials in a crystal structure.
Normally, the organic component will decompose, and so the skeletons we see in museums are mostly the inorganic remnants. But in very acidic soils, which we may find on other planets, the reverse can happen and the inorganic component can disappear leaving only the soft tissues.
On Earth the decomposition of human remains forms part of a balanced ecosystem where nutrients are recycled by living organisms, such as insects, microbes and even plants. Environments on different planets will not have evolved to make use of our bodies in the same efficient way. Insects and scavenging animals are not present on other planets in our system.
But the dry desert-like conditions of Mars might mean that the soft tissues dry out, and perhaps the windblown sediment would erode and damage the skeleton in a way that we see here on Earth.
Temperature is also a key factor in decomposition. On the moon, for example, temperatures can range from 250 to -270 degrees Fahrenheit (120 to -170 degrees Celsius). Bodies could therefore show signs of heat-induced change or freezing damage.
But I think it is likely that remains would still appear human as the full process of decomposition that we see here on Earth would not occur. Our bodies would be the “aliens” in space. Perhaps we would need to find a new form of funerary practice, which does not involve the high energy requirements of cremation or the digging of graves in a harsh inhospitable environment.
Read more: William Shatner oldest astronaut at 90 – here’s how space tourism could affect older people
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Follow all of the Expert Voices issues and debates — and become part of the discussion — on Facebook and Twitter. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
[ad_2]
Original Post
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, great written and include approximately all vital infos. I’d like to look more posts like this.
I think this website has some really wonderful information for everyone. “To be able to be caught up into the world of thought — that is being educated.” by Edith Hamilton.
Some truly superb posts on this web site, regards for contribution.
Perfectly composed subject matter, Really enjoyed studying.
Woh I enjoy your posts, saved to bookmarks! .
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A small number of my blog audience have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?
Definitely, what a magnificent website and informative posts, I surely will bookmark your blog.Have an awsome day!
I simply could not depart your site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard info a person provide for your guests? Is going to be again frequently to check out new posts
I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for beginners. Could you please extend them a bit from next time? Thanks for the post.
I reckon something truly special in this site.
I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again
Deference to op, some excellent entropy.
This web site is my breathing in, real excellent style and perfect articles.
Hello there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading through your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects? Thanks!
Whats Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & aid other users like its helped me. Great job.
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I’m happy that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
You are a very bright individual!
Hi there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
Fantastic blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused .. Any ideas? Thanks!
I am now not positive where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I must spend a while learning more or working out more. Thanks for magnificent info I was searching for this info for my mission.
You actually make it appear so easy together with your presentation but I to find this topic to be actually one thing that I feel I might by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and very broad for me. I am taking a look ahead for your next submit, I¦ll try to get the cling of it!
What i don’t understood is in truth how you’re no longer actually much more smartly-appreciated than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore considerably relating to this matter, made me in my view imagine it from a lot of various angles. Its like men and women are not fascinated unless it?¦s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. All the time take care of it up!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Thank you!
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
What Is Puravive? Puravive is a natural weight loss supplement that is known to boost the metabolic processes of the body.
Great web site. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks to your sweat!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this brilliant blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
I am now not sure the place you are getting your info, however great topic. I needs to spend a while learning much more or working out more. Thank you for great info I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.
Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task.
Very interesting topic, thanks for putting up.
Right now it sounds like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?