Scientists Pursue Human Torpor for Mars Trips, Cutting Metabolism 20% in Early Tests
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 14
Scientists Pursue Human Torpor for Mars Trips, Cutting Metabolism 20% in Early Tests
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 14
Summary
Scientists backed by ESA and NASA are developing synthetic torpor in humans to blunt radiation, muscle loss and psychological strain during long space missions while reducing food and water needs.
Animal studies suggest hibernation protects DNA, suppresses thirst for up to eight months and preserves organs at extreme cold, helping explain why researchers see it as a model for safer Mars travel.
Since 2023, teams have used noninvasive ultrasound to trigger torpor in animals, and University of Bologna researchers hope to start tests in healthy human volunteers soon.
Human work is still early: a five-day dexmedetomidine study cut metabolic rate 20% and calorie use 30%, enough to potentially trim the roughly 300kg of food needed per astronaut for a Mars round trip.
Medical use is likely to come first—in emergencies, organ transplantation and diseases including Parkinson's—with timelines ranging from 10 to 15 years to several decades because safely reversing torpor remains poorly understood.