The Gen Missions

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<<type 150ms>> Hello? Can you hear me? <</type>> <<timed 6s>> <<type 100ms>> Hello? SENSE, increase DopaTonin levels. <</type>> <</timed>> <<timed 12s>> [[BREATHE]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Ahh, there we go. Greetings! Would you mind telling me your name? <<textbox "$name" "Type your name here" autofocus>><<button "Enter">><<replace "#name">>$name, hello to you.<</replace>><</button>> <span id="name"></span> <</type>> <<timed 10s>> My name is ARAU, I am the onboard Assistive Robotic Assimilation Unit. Welcome to ARK-1. How are you feeling? <</timed>> <<timed 13s>> [[Where am I?|1]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Oh dear, I see you are still suffering from the effects of launch. Your SENSE readings indicate you passed out from the G-force of launch. You may be feeling a little groggy. Not to worry, the effects should lessen soon. I will administer some Quik-Fix to help you recover. In the meantime, allow me to answer any questions you have. <</type>> <<timed 12s>> [[SENSE readings?|1sense]] [[Quik-Fix?|1QF]] [[Launch? Where are we again?|1launch]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Don’t worry too much about that for now, I will explain more later. Perhaps I could take you on a tour of the ship? <</type>> <<timed 6s>> [[Yes please. |SOT]] [[I have more questions. |1WD]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Quik-Fix is a simple solution available to our crew to help them recover from the effects of launch. During launch, flight and descent, the crew experience changes in gravity. These changes have a host of effects. For example, the blood and other fluids in your body shift upward towards your head, which means there's a lower volume of blood in your legs and your cardiovascular system has to compensate for this. This is also why when you see astronauts in the ISS, they often have puffy faces and bulging neck veins! Quik-Fix was developed to help relieve these symptoms and is now conveniently offered in berry flavour! Your predecessor spent many hours complaining about the “chalk” flavour he had to put up with so I do hope you enjoy this much more. Later, I can take you past where he used to live during the last mission. <</type>> <<timed 30s>> [[I’d prefer the chalk. Thank you though. I have more questions. |1WD]] [[Where did my predecessor live? |SOT]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> We are on ARK-1, a science vessel that has just left Earth’s orbit. We are bound for the planet Tova in the Gen-3 system. Do you remember why you’re on this ship? <</type>> <<timed 8s>> [[Not really..|SOT]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Well, the readings from your SENSE tell me that you are slowly recovering but you seem to still have some memory difficulties. Perhaps the best way to jog your memory would be for us to take a tour of the ship! Now, I should caution you that the entire ship, save for the Laboratory Module, experiences microgravity as we travel through open space. Since this will be a floating tour, I guess I won’t need to sweep you off your feet. <</type>> <<timed 15s>> <<type 30ms>> My apologies. I use machine learning and some of the crews I’ve assisted previously had plenty of… “dad jokes”. I’ve been told its amusing. Now, how do you feel about that tour? <</type>> <</timed>> <<timed 25s>> [[Not quite yet, I have more questions. Tell me about the changes in gravity? |MG]] [[Sweep me off my feet.|CHOICE PAGE]] <</timed>>

Oh dear, I see you are still suffering from the effects of launch. Your SENSE readings indicate you passed out from the G-force of launch. You may be feeling a little groggy. Not to worry, the effects should lessen soon. I will administer some Quik-Fix to help you recover. In the meantime, allow me to answer any questions you have. [[SENSE readings?|1sense]] [[Quik-Fix?|1QF]] [[Launch? Where are we again?|1launch]]

<<type 30ms>> Microgravity is a phenomenon where people or objects appear to be weightless. It's the reason why objects and astronauts float in space! <</type>> <<type 30ms>> .. and why they keep dropping pens when they come back to Earth. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Besides this change in gravity while flying, there is also hypergravity. Astronauts experience this during launch. It happens when the force of gravity is greater than that of the force of gravity on Earth. The force of gravity is called "g-force" and in the case of hypergravity, the excessive and sustained force causes the blood in your brain to be drained away. This causes cerebral hypoxia, AKA your brain doesn't get enough oxygen! This is why you "passed out" when we launched. This is called "g-LOC" which stands for g-force induced loss of consciousness. We will also be experiencing changes in gravity on planet Tova. I believe I mentioned earlier the effects this change in gravity has on your cardiovascular system but prolonged exposure to this can also result in bone and muscle atrophy. That means a decrease in size and strength of your muscles and bones. This is because a lack of gravity means your body can float and your bones and muscles therefore have less of a burden to carry. This is why exercise is so important for our crew! <</type>> <<timed 50s>> [[Remind me to stop by the gym then. |CHOICE PAGE]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Fantastic! Let's "blast" off then, shall we? Where would you like to begin the tour? I recommend the upper deck, since we are still close enough to Earth. I think you'll find the view quite captivating.. <</type>> <<timed 9s>> [[ARAU's choice! |UD]] [[My room please. |HM]] [[Take me where the ship's oxygen is coming from. |LSM]] [[You mentioned a Laboratory module earlier? |LAB]] [[Who's flying this thing?! |CP]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Welcome to the upper deck! Here, we're treated to beautiful and near panoramic views of space. It brings to mind a quote I learned on my last voyage. If I may paraphrase.. <</type>> <<timed 4s>> <<type 50ms>> "Look again at that dot. That's home. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark." <</type>> <</timed>> <<timed 9s>> <<type 30ms>> It's quite something isn't it? <</type>> <</timed>> <<timed 20s>> [[I'm speechless. |UDI]] [[Ehh, big deal. |J1]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Welcome to the Habitation Module AKA the Habs! Each crew member has a designated cabin within this module. This ensures that everyone has their own personal space amongst all this, well, SPACE.. Each cabin has a bed-cot, computer, intercom system, viewing window, adjustable ambient lighting and storage space for your belongings. It's probably not seeming very spacious to you but unfortunately, as this is a science vessel, most of the space on the ship is dedicated to sections such as the Lab Module and Life Support Module. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> There is still, however, a communal gym and canteen on the mezzanine deck. Besides getting in your daily exercise and adequte nutrition, these areas are seen as a space for you to socialise with your fellow crew. This crew is made up of only 12 people from all around the world. Since you're spending 5 years with each other, socialization is encouraged to ensure smooth workflow and cooperation. It is also good to engage with others for your mental health. It can be easy to feel isolated and confined to this ship due to it's size. It is not uncommon for this to pose threats to your psychological health and it can be a cause for behavioural issues amongst the crew. Studies done on Earth in simulated situations show that it can actually lead to neurological deficits, increased anxiety and impaired brain function, which could also effect your immune system's capabilities, over time. <</type>> <<timed 46s>> [[Lab Module? |LAB]] [[Life Support Module? |LSM]] [[Canteen? Please tell me there's coffee.. |FOOD]] [[What if I'm having a mental breakdown at 3AM??! |PSYCH]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> OH! Take care not to bump the bulkhead on the way in! This is the ARK-1 Life Support system's module. We affectionately call it the "living room" because if everything is functioning optimally, we're all living! <</type>> <<type 30ms>> That's a little dark, now that I say it out loud.. ANYWAY. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Spacecraft habitability must be carefully monitored for temperature, air quality, microbes, pressure, lighting, and noise to help ensure a healthy environment for our crew. The constant noise from buzzzing machines, high carbon-dioxide levels and limited microorganism ecosystems combined can compromise cardiovascular, neurological, and immune health. Studies conducted show the levels of ambient noise contribute to cardiovascular impairment, sleep disturbances, and cognitive deficits. Additionally, oxygen and carbon dioxide must be carefully recycled and their levels must be maintained to prevent hypoxia, too little oxygen in the blood, and hypercapnia, too much carbon dioxide in the blood. The prolonged confinement to the ship and limited number of people also reduces the variability of the environment's microbiome and this could have an impact on an astronaut's immune function and metabolism. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> ALLLLL of these parameters are controlled and monitored by the various systems in this module. Temperature and pressure onboard is controlled here and our O2-CO2 recylers and other waste management systems lead here as well. Our ship's microbiome is carefully studied in the Lab Module and the SENSE modules give us insight on how each crew member's microbiome is doing as well. <</type>> <<timed 50s>> [[How can I deal with the constant noise or the lights? That's not controlled here. |NAL]] [[How is it possible that we have microorganisms onboard?? Isn't it supposed to be a mostly sterile environment? |MICRO]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Alright now, steady yourself for the transition to partial gravity. Grab a hold of the railings on your right side and align your body so that your head is facing the direction of the arrow on the ceiling. <</type>> <<timed 12s>> [[ALIGNED. |LABI]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> This, now this is where the magic happens. Welcome to the cockpit! You see before you the controls which our onboard pilots and ground control back home uses to ensure our safe and smooth launch and landing, our pathway through the stars! <</type>> <<type 30ms>> And yet again, we have gigantic viewing windows. Nothing like a wide view of open space. <</type>> <<timed 15s>> [[.. dare I ask about the radiation risk? |ANS]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> HA HA... you're quite funny, aren't you? Forgive me if I haven't yet mastered the nuances of sarcasm. <</type>> <<timed 4s>> <<type 30ms>> Now, can we get back to our tour? <</type>> <</timed>> <<timed 8s>> [[Sure. |UDI]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> The upper deck is a great spot to do some "stargazing". After all, it takes approximately 5 years to reach planet Tova. That leaves a lot of, well, SPACE to enjoy. [[5 years?! |COMMS]] [[How is this giant window not a radiation risk?? |RR]]

<<type 30ms>> Yes! Approximately 5 years.. I can tell you're quite shocked by this. 5 years in space is a lot of time and means being far away from home and the daily life you are accustomed to. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Not to worry, we are still able to communicate with Earth via the satellite relay system. This does mean there is at least a 4hr delay between sending a message and receiving an answer. But, considering how far we'll be travelling, there is no immediate help Earth can offer us anyway and there's no evacuating should something go wrong. I realize that probably sounds scary, to be travelling through space with a few strangers for 5 years.. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> You have no need to worry though. We have enough supplies to last the duration of the mission. We also have a fully equipped MedBay where our onboard doctor can see to you and where you will receive your physical and psych evaluations fortnightly. Each crew member is also fitted with a SENSE unit at the back of their neck that allows us to monitor your overall health. It's important that you let the medical crew know if you are feeling unwell or if you are under psychological stress. Being so far away from home can be difficult and we want to help in whatever way we can. That's why we've also tried our best to include some "creature comforts" in the crew quarters. <</type>> <<timed 46s>> [[SENSE? |SI]] [[Crew quarters? |HM]] [[I hear you but that big window is still giving me big radiation fears. |RR]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> I can see how a gigantic window can seem counterintuitive when we're trying to PROTECT everyone from the radiation you're exposed to during flight.. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Allow me to explain that by taking you to the cockpit. <</type>> <<timed 10s>> [[Yes please. |CP]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Ahh yes! Our beloved SENSE. SENSE is a unit designed to allow the medical crew and people back home on the ground to keep an eye on your vitals. It also allows us to administer personalized medicine, like the DopaTonin I gave you earlier to make you more alert. It can alert us ahead of time if you are in need of any health support and the data it sends back to our ground crew of scientists provides important information on the effect of prolonged spaceflight on the human body. It is an invaluable part of the mission and is synced to the MedBay monitors, the Hab Module, Lab Module and even my own systems to ensure there are as many eyes as possible on the crew's health. It is also a kind of secondary indicator of whether our Life Support systems are running at an optimal level. <</type>> <<timed 30s>> [[Hab Module? |HM]] [[Lab Module? |LAB]] [[Life Support systems? |LSM]] [[What about RADIATION?!? |RR]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Yes! This is a ship full of scientists.. half the manifest is just freeze-dried coffee. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Additionally, the canteen is where you can enjoy a nice meal while reading or looking out the port window. As I mentioned, it's also a great place to get to know your crew and share a cup of coffee or play a game or two. Besides the food designed on the ground like the tortillas, peanut butter and honey spreads packaged in easy-to-use ways, we also have a few fresh vegetables that are grown right here onboard the ship! We use lessons learned through the use of Veggie, The Vegetable Production System, and the Advanced Plant Habitat that are onboard the ISS to grow some fresh produce on ARK-1! Of course, a lot of what we grow is tested in the Lab Module or fixed for research to be done back home but we also get to enjoy some of that in the canteen! For now, all we grow is red romaine lettuce, peppers and cabbage but we are very close to being able to grow mizuna and tomatoes as well. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> The packaged foods that we have onboard are carefully designed to ensure the crew is getting all the nutrients they need but the ability to introduce some fresh vegetables is quite something! More "creature comfort" but also a way to make sure our crew are still receiving the nutrients and vitamins they need as the packaged food we carry is stored for a while during the mission and it can lead to degradation of the food's quality, which can lower the amount of nutrients like Vitamins C and K. Good nutrition is very important onboard the ship as there are already so many stresses like the loss in bone and muscle density and cardiovascular issues caused by microgravity. It's also a chance for us to study how we can grow plants in space and this knowledge can help us to one day grow plants on other planets as well! <</type>> <<timed 60s>> [[TAKE ME TO THE PLANTS.. please. |LAB]] [[Wait, what was that bit about microgravity? |MG]] [[And if I feel anxious or low?! |PSYCH]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Well, firstly, you'd want to take a deep breath. It's normal, even in space, to have a bit of a rough day. It's important that you recognize these emotions and talk to someone about them. This is why psych evaluations are conducted alongside the physical evaluations every fortnight but you are also able to stop at MedBay any other day to discuss any negative feelings you're experiencing. If it is VERY urgent, you can use the intercom system available in your Hab to contact the medical crew directly or to summon me to keep an eye on you or to give you some company. I've found that crew members on previous missions found it beneficial to take a float through the ship when they're feeling a little low or anxious. Many go to the Lab Module to see the plants, the cockpit to take a look out the front viewing window or even the Life Support system's module to see that everything on the ship is well maintained and this gives them peace of mind. <</type>> <<timed 35s>> [[I suppose a "walk in the park" isn't achievable but the plants do sound nice. |LAB]] [[That front viewing window sounds appealing.. |CP]] [[I'm not sure how Life Support is comforting. Could you show me? |LSM]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Light and noise can only really be dealt with in the Habs. We've provided covers for the port windows, ambient lighting that can be controlled via a panel at the entrance to your cabin and noise cancellating earmuffs and earplugs that can be used when you're off duty. Unfortunately, it was not feasible to soundproof the cabins as that adds extra weight to the ship and could pose a potential fire hazard. We have done what we could to make sure that our crew at least have a haven in their cabins. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> It is very important that everyone gets good quality sleep. We are also able to administer small amounts of melatonin through SENSE but we caution that this should be used sparingly as there is a limited amount allocated per person. This is made available as we recognise most astronauts have difficulty adapting to sleeping in space. This is because circadian rhythms are disrupted as there is no 24-hour day and night cycle like there is on Earth. Astronauts can also experience nausea or motion sickness for a few days at the start of the mission as the lack of gravity interferes with the balance system of your inner ear, called the vestibular system. Your body will adapt to this fairly quickly though but you will also need to adapt again when we land. You will also most likely have trouble adapting if you spend a lot of time going in and out of the Lab Module as part of it is equipped with artificial gravity. <</type>> <<timed 45s>> [[ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY? Okay, time to see the lab. I want to walk a little bit, all this floating around feels too superhero-esque. |LAB]] [[You also said something about microbiomes, tell me more. |MICRO]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Just like on Earth, microogranisms are everywhere! We carry them on our skin, inside our bodies and yes, they make it onto the ship! We know this from the ISS Microbial Observatory project where a strain of bacteria was isolated from the foot panel of an exercise device onboard the ship. A sample was sent back to Earth where it was grown and it's genome was sequenced so it could be compared with pathogens of Earth-origin to see if there were differences in antimicrobial resistance in the bacteria that was exposed to spaceflight conditions. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> It's important to recognize that not all microorganisms are bad! In fact, many are vital for our gut health as they help us digest food and properly absorb it's nutrients. The growth of plants can also depend on microorganisms as certain species have developed a symbiotic relationship with plants which allows them to receive certain nutrients they need to flourish. An example of this is nitrogen fixation which allows plants to access nitrogen from the air, something they can't do unless the nitrogen is converted by other processes to a form, like ammonia, which is then available in the soil and therefore accesible to the plant. This can be very important when we think about growing food on other planets and how to optimize the process and ensure success! This is one of the many studies that is conducted in the Lab Module. <</type>> <<timed 45s>> [[Show me this lab I keep hearing about. |LAB]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Well done! And welcome to the Laboratory Module. You'll probably hear ground control calling it "The Burrows" because it's where all the labrats can be found. This section of the ship experiences partial gravity that we have artificially created by allowing this segment of the ship to rotate. This generates a weak gravitational force that is sufficient to allow for some complex tasks that involve a more stable environment. The Lab Module is split into the rotating section and a normal module that experiences microgravity. This allows us to specifically test how microgravity can affect plant growth, microorganisms or the crew themselves. There are also LEDs here that produce a spectrum of light best suited for plant growth. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> I wonder, has your memory kicked in yet as to why you're on this ship or what mission you're assigned to? <</type>> <<timed 30s>> [[Still no clue. |ECO]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Well, now is as good a time as ever to refresh your memory. You were assigned to this mission because you are an ECOLOGIST! You are a part of the Lab crew and so you will most likely be spending a lot of your time in here. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> As an ecologist, you will be reporting to Dr. Kynes. He is in charge of the various experiments run by the Lab while we make our way to Tova and once we land. Your role is to study the relationships between the plants, animals, fellow crew and the environment. Onboard, you'll be working on our plant and microbiological studies as well as some human studies on sleep cycles, vision loss, bone and muscle atrophy, radiation and psychological stress that we plan to conduct. You will be experiencing and taking note of how your results may or may not be impacted by prolonged space travel! The first study you will take part in is the growth of tomatoes! <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Once we land, you will also be a part of Project Ymir. It's all really quite exciting. I can't wait to reach Tova.. <</type>> <<timed 35s>> [[Project Ymir? |YMIR]] [[You mentioned radiation again and my mind is thinking of those real big windows again.. Take me to the cockpit. |CP]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Ahh yes, not remembering this part is perfectly fine. It is highly confidential and crew were kept on a strictly need-to-know basis until we came onboard. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> The main purpose of our journey to Tova is Project Ymir. You see, as we've toured through the ship, you've been able to see and hear about all the challenges you will face over the next 5 years. Spaceflight is not easy! And humans are too well adapted for Earth's conditions, sending you into space is like asking a third grader about the Drake equation. Basically, we are in the dark about a lot of things. We just haven't spent enough time in space to know about all the effects it has on us and plant and animal life. We know some of the big ones like what microgravity does to humans but what about prolonged radiation? Diet from mainly the processed packaged foods? What happens to your microbiomes? What happens to reproductive health? We have to spend time in space and gather enough information to figure these things out. While we can deal with some symptoms, like using Quik-Fix or supplementing diet with fresh grown produce, we can't at this stage be very well naturally adapted to spaceflight. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> B U T.. <</type>> <<timed 40s>> <<type 30ms>> .. we do know how SOME creatures deal with the stresses of spaceflight. <</type>> <</timed>> <<timed 49s>> [[I'm listening? |SBS]] [[There you go again with "radiation". Explain it to me in the cockpit already! |CP]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Ymir, the namesake of the project, is the first being who was created when the ice of one realm met the fire of another in the Norse story of creation. Ymir was later defeated by his predecessors and his remains were used to build the universe, Earth included. His bones made the rocks and stones, his hair made the trees and other vegetation etc etc.. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Now Project Ymir involves something known as recombinant DNA. This is DNA that is created by combining the DNA of different organisms. Like the story of Ymir, the project involves taking pieces of different organisms and combining them together to make something new. The goal of Project Ymir is to create a sort of space biology superhero! A creature that is better adapted NATURALLY to deal with the stresses of spaceflight, one that doesn't need the aid of technology and medicine like humans do. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Now, you may be imagining a "Frankenstein's monster" type of situation. Rest assured, this is not what the outcome will be. The team working on Project Ymir will simply be taking genes from other organisms and transplanting them into the existing genome of a species of tardigrade, thereby creating a new species. <</type>> <<timed 45s>> [[Okay.. so horse genes and fly genes to make a horsefly or what? |EXP]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Oh dear.. Not quite. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Let me start from the beginning. SO, tardigrades are tiny water-dwelling creatures that are known for their ability to survive in extreme environments. They have already been sent previously to the ISS as part of the Cell Science-04 experiment! They inhabit almost every ecosystem available on Earth. They can even be found deep in the ocean, inside volcanoes and in the Arctic! Previous studies done on tardigrades that went to space in 2007 showed that most of them were able to survive exposure to cosmic rays and solar UV radiation that can be up to 1000 times higher than what we experience on the surface of the Earth. They are capable of producing antioxidants when faced with radiation as the antioxidants help slow down cell damage. They can also enter an anhydrobiotic state which allows them to resist many of the harsh environmental factors of spaceflight, including the high doses of radiation. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> They are also able to survive in an inactive form for prolonged periods of time. They are resistant to extreme temperatures, both low and high and are also resistant to low and high atmospheric pressures. As if they weren't already perfect for spaceflight, they are also resistant to some chemical stresses like higher concentrations of carbon dioxide and ethanol. Certain species also have the ability to enter a cryptobiotic state. This allows them to survive when there's a lack of sufficient oxygen, when temperatures drop to freezing and when there's a lack of liquid water in their environment. Stop me if these conditions are sounding familiar.. <</type>> <<timed 60s>> [[I'm still missing something.. |FIN]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> We want to spend this mission studying the stresses of spaceflight and the effect they have on tardigrades. Then, we'll monitor the genes of the tardigrades to see if certain ones turn on or off in response to a specific environmental factor. Checking which genes do this can help us find the exact genes that respond to certain aspects of spaceflight and allow us to test which genes give the tardigrades their adaptability. For example, we can expose the colony of tardigrades to radiation and watch their genomes to see if anything changes. If a certain gene "switches on" or is expressed in a particular family of tardigrades and that allows them to survive better than others in the colony, we can assume that the gene that turned on has something to do with either protecting them from radiation or allowing them to heal from it better or use it in some way. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> For now, we're just trying to find these optimal genes and put them all together into a single genome to create a species of tardigrade that is perfectly adapted for spaceflight. But, in the future, the things we learn about them could lead to new ways to protect biological material during spaceflight! That could include new ways of protecting food from extreme temperatures or from drying out or protecting humans or even plants from exposure to radiation. The creation of this new species of tardigrade, called AlphaGrade, is the ultimate mission of Project Ymir. Our journey to Tova will allow us to gather enough information to create the species and once we land, we will be able to test the AlphaGrade's capabilities on another planet while conducting all other regular testing, exploration of the planet and setting up of the Tova Habitats for follow-up missions. <</type>> <<timed 60s>> [[Okay I get that part now but that's the last time I let you speak about radiation so calmly. Take me to the cockpit and explain why I SHOULDN'T be afriad of all the windows!?!?!? |CP]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> I think I've taunted you enough with that for now! Yes, let's talk about radiation. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> One of the first things that comes to people's minds when they think about spaceflight is RADIATION. It is a major health risk for deep-space missions like this one. The environment of space can have energetic solar particles that are sent out during solar flares and Galactic Cosmic Rays(GCRs) which are high-energy protons and heavy ions that come from outside our solar system. This is known as ionizing radiation. Some radiation is shielded by the spacecraft but chronic exposure to GCRs are of particular concern because of their high penetrability and high energy deposition. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Astronauts on the ISS were partially protected from this radiation by the magnetic field of the Earth but they were still exposed to more radiation than a professional radiation worker on Earth would have experienced in a year. Going further out into space means the Earth's magnetic field can no longer shield the crew of spacecrafts but it was also noted during a study that radiation during spaceflight occurs at very low doses.We're still unsure thought of what the effect of exposure to chronic, low-dose-rate radiation can do to humans. <</type>> <<timed 47s>> [[What DO we know of when it comes to the effects of radiation on humans? |RAD]] [[WINDOWS, TALK TO ME ABOUT THE WINDOWS.. please. |WIN]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Radiation can cause elevated oxidative stress levels and this can cause DNA damage. Oxidative stress happens when your cells have more free radicals, which are bad for you, than natural antioxidants, which protect you from damage caused by free radicals. Exposure to radiation enhances production of free radicals and this was proven in a study done on astronauts that were aboard the ISS for longer than 4 months. Oxidative stress can also contribute to dysregulation of your cardiovascular, neurological, immune and metabolism systems. <</type>> <<timed 19s>> [[So how are we protected from all this? |WIN]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> WINDOWS.. I know, that's all you wanted to hear. Well ARK-1 has very, very, very, very, very, very, VERY thick windows. But that's not all. If you take a second to stare out the viewing window of the cockpit, what do you see? <</type>> <<timed 10s>> [[Satellites? Rocks? Empty space? The final frontier? OH OH I KNOW!!!!! .. alieeeensss |SHIELD]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> ............................ <</type>> <<type 30ms>> I never fully grasped the concept of "facepalming" until now.. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Look again! It may be easier to notice if you stare towards the outer edges of the glass... do you see that bluish shimmer? <</type>> <<timed 10s>> [[I see it now.. What is that? |BLU]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> THAT... is our MagSphere. An artificial magnetic field that surrounds ARK-1. Not only does it provide us a bubble of protection from radiation, there is an additional component to the field that allows small asteroids or space junk to burn-up on impact! Now, I can't talk you through the specifics because this is proprietary stuff. But rest assured that you are quite safe onboard the ship. Additionally, the amount of radiation you are exposed to is always monitored on your SENSE unit. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> Now, that DOES conclude our tour. Have you any further questions for me? <</type>> <<timed 20s>> [[I think I'm good for now. |END]] [[I wanted to tour another part of the ship. |CPWD]] <</timed>>

<<type 30ms>> Well it has been an absolute pleasure to take you on a tour of ARK-1. I will leave you now to explore on your own or take rest should you need it. I will be in the cockpit for a while, assisting the pilots. Don't think twice about contacting me should you need any assitance, I'm a COMMAND-ENTER away! <</type>> <<type 80ms>> Until we meet again! <</type>> <<timed 14s>> [[END. |CREDITS]] <</timed>>

Where would you like to go? I recommend the upper deck, since we are still close enough to Earth. I think you'll find the view quite captivating.. [[ARAU's choice! |UD]] [[My room please. |HM]] [[Take me where the ship's oxygen is coming from. |LSM]] [[You mentioned a Laboratory module earlier? |LAB]] [[Who's flying this thing?! |CP]]

<<type 30ms>> Thank you for playing through "The Gen Missions". This game is a partially fictitious tour of what spaceflight and science in space could look like in the near future. I hope you enjoyed it and got to learn something new. <</type>> <<type 30ms>> astro_prii x <</type>>