The project to create systems for immersing astronauts in a state of deep sleep is supported by NASA as part of the Innovative Advanced Concepts program. It has become one of eight innovative projects that have received support from the space agency, according to Redorbit. Each of the participants will receive a grant for the further development of the technology in the amount of $ 500,000 over two years.
The project envisages the creation of cryogenic chambers in which people will be in a state of suspended animation during long flights. In such chambers, the body temperature of the astronauts should be about 10 degrees, which will reduce the metabolic rate. It is assumed that the immersion of people in artificial sleep can be used already during a nine-month journey to Mars. The delivery of substances necessary to maintain life into the body will be carried out intravenously. The capsules are currently being developed by Spaceworks specialists.