<p>With researchers maintaining that keeping astronauts in deep sleep is possible, the space explorers may very well be put in hibernation to significantly cut the cost of a manned expedition to Mars.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The deep sleep - called torpor - would reduce the astronauts' metabolic functions with existing medical procedures, Discovery News reported.<br /><br />"Therapeutic torpor has been around in theory since the 1980s and, since 2003, it has been a staple for critical care trauma patients in hospitals," said lead study author Mark Schaffer from Atlanta-based SpaceWorks Enterprises.<br /><br />Coupled with intravenous feeding, a crew could be put in hibernation for the transit time to Mars for up to six months.<br /><br />Crews can live inside smaller ships with fewer amenities like galleys, exercise gear and water, food and clothing, the NASA-funded study reported.<br /><br />One design includes a spinning habitat to provide a low-gravity environment to help offset bone and muscle loss.<br /></p>
<p>With researchers maintaining that keeping astronauts in deep sleep is possible, the space explorers may very well be put in hibernation to significantly cut the cost of a manned expedition to Mars.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The deep sleep - called torpor - would reduce the astronauts' metabolic functions with existing medical procedures, Discovery News reported.<br /><br />"Therapeutic torpor has been around in theory since the 1980s and, since 2003, it has been a staple for critical care trauma patients in hospitals," said lead study author Mark Schaffer from Atlanta-based SpaceWorks Enterprises.<br /><br />Coupled with intravenous feeding, a crew could be put in hibernation for the transit time to Mars for up to six months.<br /><br />Crews can live inside smaller ships with fewer amenities like galleys, exercise gear and water, food and clothing, the NASA-funded study reported.<br /><br />One design includes a spinning habitat to provide a low-gravity environment to help offset bone and muscle loss.<br /></p>