Throughout history, the undeniable physical disparities between men and women have served as a basis to justify gender prejudices that favor men. The attributes of greater strength, height, and body mass have consistently worked to the benefit of the male sex. In the field of space research, women have been quite advanced. The female astronaut can be just as competent as a man, this is proven by science.
Therefore, in this article we are going to tell you the reasons why women can be astronauts and some of the most important feats of women. women in relation to space research.
Reasons why women make good astronauts
The era of survival of the fittest may be nearing its end, if logic and science are implemented on a cosmic scale. Based on extensive research and data collected from NASA space expeditions, it has been determined that a crew exclusively female crew for a space mission would have numerous advantages over an exclusively male crew. These advantages can be classified into four key factors: two related to physical capabilities, one related to character traits, and the fourth focused on the future goals of space missions.
They are people with a smaller size
Research has conclusively shown that sending a team of smaller individuals into space is simpler and more economically advantageous compared to sending a group of larger individuals. In general, women tend to have a smaller physical frame, which gives them a clear advantage. One of the main benefits of a woman's body is its ability to thrive on fewer resources, including food and oxygen, while also producing less waste that requires fewer resources to eliminate. These findings were confirmed by experiments conducted by Kate Greene, a participant in a four-month simulated mission conducted by NASA.
Less likely to experience physical problems
One might assume that it would be sufficient to select a crew based on size alone. However, once again, the evidence disproves this notion. Another reason why an all-female crew may be advantageous is that Women's bodies seem to better withstand the physical effects of space travel. Prolonged missions through the magnetic shield can lead to a variety of physical ailments, including increased risk of cancer, disorientation, weakened immune systems, and vision problems.
Through extensive medical examinations by the US space agency, it has been found that while men may experience less dizziness, they also tend to suffer more severe hearing and vision impairment compared to women.
Better long-term social skills
However, beyond the physical realm, Extensive historical expeditions have yielded data highlighting the presence of additional advantages for women. Although an all-male team is more likely to successfully complete a short expedition, POT data indicates that the social aptitude displayed by a group of women undertaking a long mission increases the chances of success.
Populating the universe plays a fundamental role
Finally, we come across a motive that is currently improbable but nevertheless invites reflection. If a future mission focused on colonizing a new planet and considered the aforementioned factors, it would always be more advantageous to send an all-female crew. It is evident that while men play a crucial role in the reproductive process, their physical presence is not necessarily necessaryto. On the other hand, the female body retains the exclusive capacity to nourish life within it.
Teams made up of people from diverse backgrounds
To put it concisely, it seems that there are many years ahead for our species to venture into interplanetary colonization. However, if we undertake such an endeavor, it is prudent to consider factors beyond individual intelligence. Extensive research on group dynamics has consistently shown that diverse teams produce optimal results. Therefore, although there is data that favors the inclusion of women, There are also findings that support the notion that mixed teams perform more effectively.
Some feats of women in space
She was the pioneer woman who ventured into the field of space exploration
With a unique approach, Russia distinguished itself by sending Valentina Tereshkova into space, a 26-year-old Russian cosmonaut, in 1963, making her the first woman to achieve this remarkable feat.
During his heroic journey aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft, he completed 48 orbits around Earth over the course of three days, cementing his status as a leading figure of the space age.
Frances "Poppy" Northcutt has the distinction of being the pioneering engineer on NASA's Apollo program and is the only woman to serve in mission control during the historic Apollo 8 mission in 1968.
His contributions extended to the Apollo missions, specifically Apollo 10, 11, and 12. Additionally, he played a crucial role as a member of the engineering team responsible for rescuing the Apollo 13 astronauts from a life-threatening situation caused by a tank explosion. of oxygen.
First American female astronaut
Sally Ride made history in 1983 as the first female NASA astronaut to embark on a journey into space. The space shuttle Challenger served as the vessel for this groundbreaking achievement.
Sally Ride faced a unique line of questioning that had never been directed at any other astronaut in history. She was asked about her emotional response to difficulties in the flight simulator, the potential impact of the trip on her fertility, her personal desires to have children and even the suitability of 100 tampons for a mission. space of a week. Additionally, she was questioned about her decision to wear makeup to space.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the female astronaut and her contribution to science.