Gaby
Lounging in bed and binge-watching sounds great. Now the European Space Agency (ESA) is offering €5,000 to 10 volunteers who will spend 10 days in dry-immersion “water beds”.
The experiment will include only men, the Daily Mail reports.
Inside the experiment
Called Vivaldi III, the study will take place at the Medes Space Clinic at the University Hospital of Toulouse in France. Vivaldi III is the third and final phase of research into how microgravity affects the human body.
Volunteers will spend a total of 21 days at the clinic. The first five days are for thorough medical examinations. For the following 10 days, participants will lie in containers filled with water covered by a waterproof fabric; that keeps them dry while ensuring even immersion.
The next five days are for examinations and recovery. One additional day is scheduled for a follow-up visit to the clinic.
“By immersing their bodies in water while keeping their arms and heads above it, participants will experience a sensation similar to floating without physical support — something akin to what astronauts feel aboard the International Space Station,” ESA explained.
During meals, participants will use a flotation board and a neck pillow. They can use their phones, including making video calls, and can receive visitors. They will not be allowed to go outside. One intimate detail: volunteers will be transported to the restroom on a stretcher.
“Participants are involved in a wide range of medical experiments and scientific studies to help researchers understand how space affects the human body. The ‘dry’ immersion simulates weightlessness by supporting the body in liquid while keeping the skin dry, creating conditions similar to microgravity,” ESA representatives said.
“In microgravity, astronauts lose muscle and bone density, their eye shape can change, and bodily fluids shift toward the brain,” the researchers added. They hope the results will also help develop treatments for patients who are bedridden for long periods, for elderly people, and for those with musculoskeletal problems.
Participant Requirements
Applicants must be healthy men aged 20–40, non-smokers with a body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 26 kg/m² and a height of 165–180 cm. They should exercise regularly and be in good physical shape, without allergies or dietary restrictions.
