Scientists from Ostrava want to send T-shirt into space to measure crew stress levels
A special smart T-shirt is being developed in collaboration between scientists from the Technical University of Ostrava and Masaryk University. The unique system of sensors will examine Czechia’s space crew's reactions to stress in orbit and will also be used in healthcare.
The astronaut lies on a moving bench, wearing 3D glasses, and the simulated stress begins. Radek Martinek, dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, describes the demonstration test:
"He is wearing virtual reality glasses, through which we project space. Then something happens there, and since we are in terrestrial conditions, we try to simulate at least a little bit of what we experience in space. In studies, this is done by tilting the bench."
Astronaut Aleš Svoboda wears sensors that monitor his mental state.
"This is a test and demonstration measurement. This is basically how we collect the first data for our algorithms, even before the actual mission to space," adds the dean.
The goal is to have as much control as possible over the stress levels of the crew members and to detect problems before they arise.
"We would prefer, and this will probably be the case, for the astronaut to wear a T-shirt throughout the mission, which will provide us with a relatively valuable data sample that does not currently exist anywhere else in the world."
It is not yet clear when Svoboda will fly to the International Space Station. Everything is being arranged by the European Space Agency. But it is common for crews to also learn how to operate scientific instruments. Svoboda is ready for that.
"As part of the preparation for the flight, there is a six- to seven-month training program, which includes operating individual experiments. This means that, as part of the preparation, about six months before the flight itself, I will learn how to use all the technical equipment that is needed for this."
In addition to the smart T-shirt, another experiment developed at the VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava will also be heading into space. These will be nanorobots trained to destroy unwanted bacteria in zero gravity.
