{
  "id": 11477451,
  "title": "What space travel teaches us about sleep and circadian rhythms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/what-space-travel-teaches-us-about-sleep-and-circadian-rhythms",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-02T16:00:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-space-circadian-rhythms.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sleep and circadian rhythms are controlled by two interacting systems on Earth. The circadian clock determines when we expect sleep and wakefulness, while sleep pressure builds up while awake and dissipates while sleeping. However, space travel disrupts these systems. Astronauts experience multiple sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours on the International Space Station, making it difficult to follow a regular sleep schedule. This can lead to reduced sleep opportunities and chronic sleep restriction, negatively impacting vigilance and mission safety. Research has shown that carefully managing astronaut schedules, lighting, and exercise can mitigate some effects of sleep loss and circadian disruption. Artificial lighting can be adjusted to provide appropriate environmental cues, and wrist-mounted monitors track sleep patterns. Despite efforts, astronauts often obtain only about 6 to 6.5 hours of sleep per day. NASA's Artemis II mission, set to launch in April 2026, aims to study the impact of space travel on sleep. Preliminary studies on human sleep in space have shown no significant difference in sleep inertia or vigilance after brief daytime sleep opportunities with pink noise compared to control conditions. However, the presence of light affects color discrimination, posing an engineering challenge for mission safety. Longer Martian days present an even greater challenge, as the additional 40 minutes disrupt the circadian system.",
  "summary": "On Earth, most of us rarely have to think about the signals that keep our internal clocks aligned. The sun rises, daylight changes, darkness arrives and morning comes again.",
  "key_points": [
    "Earth's circadian clock and sleep pressure regulate sleep and wakefulness.",
    "Space travel disrupts circadian systems due to frequent sunrises/sunsets.",
    "NASA's Artemis II mission will study sleep impact in space."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}