| Even though it might be an issue that is insignificant, | | | | the crew was snoring. The result was surprising |
| the above question became a big concern in the | | | | because it was thought that astronauts breathed less |
| community of science. Were astronauts able to | | | | while in space, the belief being that they exhaled and |
| snore? During the early day of flights into space this | | | | inhaled less times while in space. Many scientists had |
| issue was often discussed. The debate is still going | | | | wanted to know if it was harder to breathe up |
| since space stations and shuttle flights are in use. | | | | there. To measure sleeping statistics the astronauts |
| Many people believed that man couldn't snore if there | | | | wore a variety of different microphones. |
| was no normal gravity present because the flow of | | | | Comparisons were then done with how the men |
| air would be incorrect. This would hinder the normal | | | | slept while they were on earth. For instance, did the |
| condition of the throat. If there was no gravity | | | | men snore while they were on earth? |
| would there be vibration? | | | | Because astronauts are in such good shape before |
| Interesting statistics about sleep were discovered | | | | they head to space, the study brought up many |
| during two flights into space. During the study it was | | | | more questions. The common snorers were men |
| discovered that five astronauts ceased snoring | | | | who were overweight and had large necks. They |
| altogether when they were in space. Also, some | | | | perhaps drank, smoked, and at dairy products at |
| astronauts who had had episodes of their breathing | | | | night. Most astronauts don't fit this fitness picture. |
| stopping (known as sleep apnea) experienced no | | | | Another question that came up was whether or not |
| episodes in space. This was considered to be a | | | | other difficulties sleeping played any part in the |
| breakthrough because it proved that it was | | | | astronauts not snoring or snoring. Some astronauts |
| necessary for gravity to be present to agitate the | | | | experience motion sickness. Another problem in |
| throat, constrict the flow of air, and create the right | | | | space is that the sun rises and sets every ninety |
| vibrations in the uvula and soft palate. It was easier | | | | minutes. Both of these issues can be hard to get |
| to breathe if there was no gravity. The study also | | | | used to. |
| showed that astronauts sleep less hours and needed | | | | There is still some disagreement among scientists as |
| sleeping aids to help them sleep. | | | | to whether or not astronauts actually snore in space. |
| In 1998 a study was done aboard the Columbia | | | | Some people say that it's impossible to snore if there |
| shuttle to determine how astronauts would sleep on | | | | is no gravity. There are different results for different |
| the space shuttle in an environment that was artificial. | | | | studies. However, the study on Columbia seems to |
| The results were a shock to scientists, as well as | | | | be proof that astronauts do snore. The only way to |
| sleep specialists, because the microphones indicated | | | | really prove this for sure is through more research. |