Sleep issues in space were the subject of this chapter. Circadian rhythms
were described and discussed, and their importance to sleep in space explained. Related
topics chronobiology and body clocks were similarly also covered. The contemporary
space sleeping accommodations were explored, and the fact that spacefarers sleep in
shifts was noted. Astronauts are supposed to get eight hours of sleep nightly, but the
mean average is probably closer to 6.5 hours. The task and behavioral consequences of
sleep deprivation were discussed, and the fact that astronauts frequently suffer insomnia
was documented. Solutions to sleep deprivation were assessed, and the Mission Control
wake-up call documented.
Keywords: Biological clock, Bloomberg News, Center for Chronobiology,
chronobiology, Circadian rhythms, Discovery Channel, enriched light, fatigue,
insomnia, Institute for Biomedical Research, melatonin, moonlight, Mars
Exploration Rover Mission, National Space Biomedicine Research Institute, Russian
Academy of Science, sleep deprivation, Thomas Jefferson University, Velcro.
