The experiment, called Vivaldi III, is the final part of the Vivaldi experiment, which aims to understand the effects of weightlessness on the human body.
Volunteers will participate in the experiment at the Medes Space Clinic in Toulouse University Hospital. It has been designed to recreate some of the effects of spaceflight on the body.
They will also be paying volunteers €5,000 ($AU 8,300) for their time.
“During Vivaldi III, 10 volunteers lie down in containers similar to bathtubs covered with a waterproof fabric. This keeps them dry and evenly suspended in water,” ESA explained.
“Submerged to above the torso and keeping arms and head above water, participants experience a sensation of floating without physical support – something close to what astronauts feel while on the International Space Station.”
Participants will also need to remain in their laid-back position the entire time, even for bathroom breaks. “'For bathroom breaks, participants are temporarily transferred onto a trolley, maintaining their laid-back position at all times,” ESA added.
Unfortunately for women who are keen to stay in bed for 10 days, the experiment is only open to men.
“For the whole 10 days, volunteers remain in this position inside the containers filled with water,” ESA explained.
“Participants take part in a wide range of medical experiments and scientific studies to help researchers understand how space affects the human body.
“During meals, they use a floating board and a neck pillow.”
Fortunately, participants will be able to contact their loved ones at any time and for as long as they like, as long as it fits into their schedule. However, no visitors will be allowed.
Participants will not be allowed to venture outside the hospital for a full 21 days. “Even though the actual bed rest or dry immersion only lasts 10 days, your presence is required at the MEDES Clinic for 21 days (+2 days of follow-up),” Medes added.
“The pre- and post-bed rest/immersion periods are part of the study in the same way as the bed rest or immersion period.
“You will be required to remain in the space clinic throughout this hospitalisation, with the exception of certain tests performed at the Toulouse University Hospital in specialised departments.”
The experiment is important as it will help scientists understand the effects that being in zero gravity for long periods of time has on the body.
“In weightlessness, astronauts’ bodies go through a wide array of changes due to lack of gravity – they lose muscle and bone density, the shape of their eye globes can change, and fluids shift to the brain,” the ESA explained.
“Dry immersion takes weight off the body, creating conditions similar to weightlessness.”
This study could also assist scientists in designing new treatments for patients who have been bedridden for long periods of time, including the elderly and people who have musculoskeletal conditions.
