Astronauts Embark on a Unique Journey in Space, Chasing 16 Daily Sunsets and Sunrises
Space – Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) embark on an extraordinary journey, circling the Earth every 90 minutes, witnessing 16 breathtaking sunsets and sunrises daily. Yet, in the absence of Earthly time cues, these spacefarers often struggle to establish a natural daily rhythm. To combat this challenge, the ISS employs Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as its temporal anchor, supplemented by structured wake-up and bedtime routines.
The delicate balance of the human circadian rhythm, governing physical, mental, and behavioral changes over a 24-hour cycle, plays a pivotal role in an astronaut’s well-being. Tied closely to the body’s core temperature, this internal clock orchestrates vital processes such as metabolism and sleep.
Unsurprisingly, exposure to light emerges as a pivotal factor influencing our circadian rhythm. Humans instinctively awaken during daylight and seek rest during the night.
Addressing this crucial aspect, the “Circadian Light” experiment has been developed by SAGA Space Architects based in Copenhagen, Denmark. This groundbreaking innovation takes the form of a lamp specifically designed to support astronauts’ circadian rhythms while they are in space.
ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, during his sojourn in space, expertly installed this specialized lamp inside his crew cabin on the third day of his mission. The lamp’s functionality is meticulously synchronized with Andreas’s unique sleep schedule, orchestrating changes in lighting throughout the day.
In the evening, as Andreas prepares for slumber, the Circadian Light bathes his cabin in a soothing red glow, simulating the ambiance of a calming sunset. In the morning, as he awakens to a new day in space, the light transitions to a serene blue hue, reminiscent of the morning sky on Earth.
The choice of colors for this unique lighting system has been thoughtfully calibrated to replicate the natural progression of daylight—an experience astronauts aboard the ISS seldom encounter.
The Circadian Light’s efficacy was rigorously tested by the visionary founders of SAGA during an arduous two-month expedition to Greenland. Their findings underscored the lamp’s vital role in maintaining a regular schedule and facilitating temporal orientation.
The European Space Agency (ESA) further extends its sponsorship to analogous research in Antarctica, where inhabitants at the Concordia research station grapple with prolonged dark winters and endless summer days, significantly impacting their sleep patterns.
As humanity continues its exploration of the cosmos, innovative solutions like the Circadian Light serve as testament to our commitment to safeguarding the well-being and performance of astronauts venturing into the uncharted realms of space.
