Understanding Astronaut Sleep in Interstellar: A Comprehensive Explanation

In Interstellar, why were the astronauts sleeping in space?

Description of the movie scenario: In the science fiction film Interstellar, astronauts are shown to be in a state of suspended animation, essentially sleeping through most of their interstellar journey. This state serves several crucial purposes in making the mission both psychologically and physically feasible.

Induced Hibernation and Its Scientific Basis

The concept of induced hibernation, or hibernation done by bears, bats, and some species of snakes, is indeed a common trope in science fiction. It is mentioned that a journey to a distant star by humans would be impossible within a single human lifetime. Therefore, the use of induced hibernation as a technology to stop cellular aging and slow down biological processes is a reasonable extrapolation of current medical and scientific knowledge.

The Scientific Explanation: Therapeutic Hypothermia

The reasons astronauts in Interstellar were put into deep sleeps, as mentioned, are twofold:

To prevent them from consuming all the onboard food supplies. To avoid interpersonal conflicts during months or even years of isolation in space.

Putting astronauts into this state, called torpor, is analogous to therapeutic hypothermia—a medically induced state of lowered body temperature. In this state, the astronauts' metabolism is dramatically reduced by lowering their body temperature to around 90°F (32°C). This decreases their caloric intake needs and slows muscle atrophy. The film depicts full-body immersion in a liquid, but current studies often use either the application of gel packs or the insertion of chilled fluids nasally or intravenously.

The Process and Current Knowledge

Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising medical technique currently used to treat various conditions, such as ischemic brain injury. The longest a human has been kept in a state of therapeutic hypothermia is 14 days, as of the latest research and information available. However, this state would not realistically keep a person in a hibernated state for months, which is the duration required for an interstellar journey.

Medical Challenges and Limitations

There are several medical challenges that must be addressed, including muscle atrophy, electrolyte imbalances, and liver failure. Furthermore, if a medical officer or crew member is also in torpor, providing remote medical treatment could be extremely challenging, especially due to the significant signal lag in interstellar space.

Conclusion

The technology and science behind Interstellar's portrayal of suspended animation largely align with current medical research on therapeutic hypothermia. While this state offers significant benefits for longer space missions, it also presents substantial challenges that require further research and development. The concept serves as a fascinating viewpoint on the future of space travel and the technologies that might be required for such journeys.