Disease May Prevent Manned Journey To Mars 177
Pickens writes "Science Daily News reports that human missions to Mars and all other long-term space flights might be compromised by disease, first because space travel appears to weaken astronauts' immune systems; and second, because it increases the virulence and growth of microbes. 'When people think of space travel, often the vast distances are what come to mind first,' says Jean-Pol Frippiat from Nancy-University in France, 'but even after we figure out a way to cover these distances in a reasonable amount of time, we still need to figure out how astronauts are going to overcome disease and sickness.' Frippiat says studies show that immune systems of both people and animals in space flight conditions are significantly weaker than their grounded counterparts and that common pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli and Staphylococcus reproduce more rapidly in space flight conditions, leading to increased risk of contamination, colonization and serious infection."
Beware of the dreaded SPACE HERPES!!! (Score:5, Funny)
This isn't a first post, but it's the only Ice Pirates reference on Slashdot.
We'll have to invent sanitation droids... (Score:2, Funny)
to keep things sterile...
Prototype here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/813/kryten2.jpg [sitcomsonline.com]
Re:Not if the spaceship is inflatable. (Score:5, Funny)
So I am not the only one that wants to take something inflatable with me if I have to go to Mars? Excellent.
Re:rotate it (Score:4, Funny)
Put a spinning deck inside the spacecraft. Then the astronuats can run around the rim to get exercise .
Oh and put a manual switch for the pod bay door on the outside of the ship in case the computer runs amok.
Nancy boy from Nancy University . . . (Score:2, Funny)
Re:that's an easy one. (Score:2, Funny)
Paging Valentine Michael Smith. Valentine Michael Smith please report to thread 0510212 [slashdot.org].