Perils in space, ways to counter them

There arise perils in space both aboard ISS and during space travel

Focusing on just space travel it is time to identify the perils

List and plan the ways to counter them to ensure safe travel

For the astronauts, crew of the spacecraft travelling in space

Here we go identifying , listing them out for real action please

Cosmic radiation, health hazards due to zero gravity

Bombardment from asteroids, comets, micrometeorite what a pity,

Travelling in proximity to black holes, neutron stars, perilous oh my

These are the perils out there to spacecraft, crew sorry

Having identified we proceed to counter that is the story

Cosmic rays are produced by sun,stars, quasi stellar objects

Black hole accretion disks, gamma ray bursts,

Most cosmic rays are electrons, nuclei of light to heavy elements

These can cause DAN damage, cancer, the earth’s magnetic field

Deflects, saves us same way, spacecraft need a deflector shield

Zero gravity in space causes impaired vision, hearing loss,

Cardio vascular troubles, calcium loss and bone loss,

Muscle mass loss all occur due to weightlessness

To counter works out like treadmill, electrical stimulation of muscles

Weight lifting,stationary bicycling done as aboard ISS on space travels

Bombardments of asteroids, comets, micrometeorites can puncture

Disrupt, destroy spacecraft so measures needed for sure

A special cushion layer as around the inflatable dome of Bigelow

aboard ISS may be put around spacecraft too neutralise impact blow

Spacecraft being the lifeline and means of survival for the crew

Now come the real danger of travelling in proximity to black holes

Neutron stars, supernova explosions on my the real perils

Will suck in, rip apart the spacecraft, no escape by any means

Keep the path clear of these by sound astronomy and telescopes

Steer away to safety well away from their proximity their tentacles

So perils are bound to be there as nothing is easy on space

Space travel, steering the spacecraft with tact and skill so nice

Skills, improvisations, alertness, presence of mind, all count

Right from the moments of lift off and count- down count

It’s time to proceed on space travel, let’s start!

-Mohan Sanjeevan

N.B:- Poem composed on the lines of my paper titled "Perils in space,countering them during space travel" during International Aeronautics, Astronautics, Aviation conference held in Chennai on 24 th March, 2018

ISS: International Space Station