NASA Plans LED Lighting Test to Help ISS Astronauts Sleep

NASA's planning a test to replace fluorescent lighting panels in the ISS with a solid-state LED lighting module which produces blue, white, or reddish light depending on the time.

It hopes that this change will serve as a counter-measure to the inevitable disruption of the body's circadian rhythm while in space — this would hopefully reduce insomnia, which can have a host of deleterious effects while in space.


Sleep in space has long been a concern for NASA — back in 2001, a study showed that 50 percent of some Space Shuttle crews relied on medication to help sleep while in orbit. It also showed that nearly half of all medication used while in space was used to improve sleep.

According to the BBC, the shifting from blue to red light (with an intermediate white stage) will help to simulate the typical day / night cycle. The blue lighting is meant to stimulate the retinal photopigment melanopsin as well as the hormone melatonin, which helps a person feel more alert and awake. The shift to red lighting will reverse the process and help encourage feelings of sleepiness. While the test isn't slated to begin until 2016, hopefully it'll help those working in space get a better night's rest.

Disclaimers of Warranties
1. The website does not warrant the following:
1.1 The services from the website meets your requirement;
1.2 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the service;
1.3 The accuracy, reliability of conclusions drawn from using the service;
1.4 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness, or security of any information that you download from the website
2. The services provided by the website is intended for your reference only. The website shall be not be responsible for investment decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from use of the website or the information contained therein<
Proprietary Rights
You may not reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, display, perform, publish, distribute, disseminate, broadcast or circulate to any third party, any materials contained on the services without the express prior written consent of the website or its legal owner.
Display devices have been used for many years as a means of HMI (Human Machine Interface) to connect humans and machines interactively, and their usage are still expanding. Automotive interiors are no exception to this trend, with an increasing ... READ MORE
About LiDAR Automotive industry trends In recent years, many vehicles have been launched with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) as standard equipment. As the future evolves towards more automated driving, sensing around the vehicle i... READ MORE