Would You Sleep With NASA for $18,000?

21st Century Wire says…

You’ve probably heard of the medical and drug experiments for cash (helping thousands of Aussies and Kiwis to travel the world annually), but here’s a galactic twist: 70 days in a ‘deep space’ sleep pod?

What are the risks? There are many in fact, like loss of muscle tissue, pressure soars, bladder and urinary irregularities, depression, delirium, and sleep pattern disorders.

A bizarre sales pitch to say the least, but probably fitting for a number of qualified couch potatoes across the US…

Truthia

Usually at some point during the day (and for some of us, multiple points) we find ourselves wishing we could abandon our responsibilities to return back to our beds to live out the rest of the day under a quiet fortress of blankets.

Despite the guilt of chronic laziness, a day in bed sounds pretty relaxing—if only we could financially support ourselves by doing so.

Turns out, NASA might have the answer we’re all looking for—although it might require a little more relaxation than originally imagined. NASA is currently looking for volunteers to participate in their “Bed Rest Studies”, in which participants will have to spend 70 straight days in bed, receiving a $18,000 stipend for the period of aggressive bodily atrophy. Participants are allowed to read books, Skype, play games, as well as use their phones and computers throughout the duration of the study (that means you can still be on Facebook!). Pretty much anything is fair game, so long as you remain in bed, earning a sweet $1,200 per week.

So what are the exact purposes of these studies? The experiments are designed to find ways of preserving astronauts’ health and safety during periods of extended space travel. “Head down” bed rest is a good way of simulating travel through zero gravity space. Think about it, zero gravity means zero weight or strain on your muscles. It’s a more accessible way of analyzing the bodily changes that occur during space travel. This study is designed to achieve three core tasks: 1) Understanding how one’s changing physiology in space may affect the process of certain missions. 2) Understanding the impact of one’s physiological state on their ability to perform in particular tasks. 3) Preparing countermeasures to combat any impairment that these physiological conditions may impose. Within the experiment there are two study groups: exercising and non-exercising. While the exercising group will be subject to exercise training (on special equipment to maintain the laying down position), the non-exercising group will remain completely at ease. The entire duration of the study actually lasts between 97 and 105 days, depending on whether you’re a non-exercising or an exercising subject, respectively…

Continue this story at Truthia

If you are still interested to apply, contact NASA here.

READ MORE SCI-TECH NEWS AT: 21st Century Wire Sci-Tech

-

21st Century Wire is an alternative news agency designed to enlighten, inform and educate readers about world events which are not always covered in the mainstream media.