The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering €5,000 (₹4.72 lakh) to volunteers for a 10-day experiment. The catch? They must lie down continuously on a special waterbed. This study helps scientists understand how space affects the human body.
Why Is ESA Conducting This Experiment?
Astronauts experience weightlessness in space, which affects their muscles, bones, and circulation. To study these effects, ESA launched the Vivaldi experiment at the Medes Space Clinic in Toulouse, France. This is the final phase of the study.
How Does the Experiment Work?
Volunteers lie inside water-filled containers covered with waterproof fabric. This setup keeps them dry while suspending their bodies evenly in water. ESA explains that this mimics the floating sensation astronauts feel on the International Space Station (ISS).
What Do Participants Experience?
For 10 days, volunteers stay in this floating state. Their upper bodies remain submerged, while their heads and arms stay above the water. Scientists closely monitor how their bodies react.
- Bathroom breaks? Volunteers are moved on a trolley while staying in the same position.
- Meals? Food is served on a floating tray, and they use neck pillows for support.
- Feeling isolated? They can use phones to stay in touch with family and friends.
Recovery and Follow-Up
After the experiment, participants spend five days recovering while scientists track how their bodies return to normal. Ten days later, they return for a final check-up.
A Parallel Study: Bed Rest Simulation
ESA is also running a separate 10-day study, where volunteers remain in a head-down position. Scientists will compare this data with the Vivaldi experiment to learn more about spaceflight’s impact on the body.
“By extending the duration of dry immersion and comparing it to bed rest, we are refining our understanding of how these conditions simulate life in space and their physiological effects,” says Ann-Kathrin Vlacil, ESA’s team leader for human exploration research.
Who Can Apply?
ESA began recruiting Vivaldi III volunteers last year, but only men aged 20 to 40 qualified. They had to meet strict physical requirements:
- Height: 1.65m to 1.80m
- BMI: 20 to 26
- No allergies or dietary restrictions
This groundbreaking study could help scientists protect astronauts’ health and improve future space missions.
