Samarth Kumar

Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) and It’s Potential Countermeasures for Astronauts

Started Apr. 20, 2023

Abstract or project description

Samarth is working on a review paper on Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS) which is one of the biggest health risks for humans going to Mars. SANS is suspected to be caused by a headward fluid shift when astronauts are in microgravity, causing increased intracranial pressure. This increased pressure inside the head pushes on the back of the eyes causing them to flatten. This can lead to vision problems along with other side effects. Samarth will write a review paper giving an overview of SANS and discuss the most promising countermeasures to this problem, including lower-body negative pressure devices, restrictive thigh cuffs and goggles.