Workshop: Preparing for the New Space Age: Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Health While Living and Working in Space

One of the major challenges of living and working in space is disruption to sleep and circadian rhythms. Space travel is associated with unusual light-dark cycles to which the 24-hour circadian system cannot synchronise, and this circadian misalignment increases the risk of sleep loss and performance impairment, and therefore crew safety, as well as misalignment of body systems including metabolism, immune function, and reproductive health. Sleep is also a major challenge in space due to microgravity, noise, temperature, CO2, and confined quarters, further contributing to sleep-related safety and health risks. The psychological challenge of living isolated in confined spaces and small groups is also a major concern. Exposure to these risks will become more prevalent as the possibility to live and work in space expands with the growth in private space companies and as the new opportunities in space tourism emerge.

The goal of this workshop is to identify and address some of the challenges associated with this new era in human space travel and exploration.

ORGANISERS

Professor Simon Archer, Surrey Sleep Research Centre

Professor Steven Lockley, Surrey Sleep Research Centre

Professor Derk-Jan Dijk, Surrey Sleep Research Centre

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS AND SESSION CHAIRS

Professor Daniel Aeschbach, Head of Sleep and Human Factors Research, German Aerospace Center

Professor Adam Amara, Professor of Astrophysics, Director of the Surrey Space Institute, University of Surrey; Chief Scientist, UK Space Agency.

Professor Simon Archer, Professor of Molecular Biology of Sleep, Surrey Sleep Research Centre, University of Surrey

Professor Damian Bailey, Royal Society Wolfson Research Fellow and Professor of Physiology and Biochemistry, Director of the Neurovascular Research Laboratory, University of South Wales and Bexorg, Inc., New Haven, CT, USA.

Dr Nicole Cocolas, Lecturer in Transport Management, Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy, University of Surrey

Mr Matthew Cook, Head of Space Exploration, UK Space Agency

Professor Derk-Jan Dijk, Distinguished Professor, Professor of Sleep and Physiology, Director, Surrey Sleep Research Centre, University of Surrey

Dr Simon Evetts, Director, Space, NauteXe Global; Chairman UK Space Life and Biomedical Sciences Association; Visiting Professor Northumbria University

Dr Erin Flynn-Evans, Director, Fatigue Countermeasures Laboratory, NASA Ames Research Center

Dr Mindy Howard, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Cosmic Girls Foundation

Dr Smith Johnston, former NASA flight surgeon and Head of Fatigue Management and Human Health, Performance, and Longevity programs. Former CMO, Axiom Space Inc

Professor Steven Lockley, Visiting Professor, Surrey Sleep Research Centre, University of Surrey; Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, Timeshifter Inc.

Dr John Marshall, UTMB Associate Program Director Aerospace Medicine Residency Program and former operational mission flight surgeon, Axiom Space Inc

Clare Pelly, Head of Astronaut Relations or James Willoughby, Vice President & General Manager of Customer Operations, Virgin Galactic

Professor Anne Skeldon, Professor of Mathematics, Head of School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Surrey

Dr Brigitte Stangl, Senior Lecturer in Tourism, Director of the Centre for Digital Transformation in the Visitor Economy, University of Surrey

Photo by NASA on Unsplash