Irvine : Astronaut to Speak on Weightlessness Problem

Astronaut William Thornton, who has flown on two space shuttle missions, will discuss the physiological effects of weightlessness and how proper exercise keeps astronauts well in space and after returning to earth at a UC Irvine-sponsored lecture at 8 p.m. Oct. 9.

Thornton, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration physician, flew on the space shuttle Challenger in August, 1983, and again in April, 1985. On the first mission he built his own neurophysiology lab and investigated motion sickness in space. On the second flight, Thornton studied weightlessness in monkeys and rats aboard the craft.

Thornton, 58, has found that astronauts aboard the Skylab space station experienced muscle atrophy and calcium loss during their missions.

“It’s a case of use it or lose it,” said Thornton. “When you adapt completely to the weightlessness of space, you can’t function back on earth.”

Thornton said the best way to counteract problems caused by weightlessness is through exercise on special equipment.

Thornton will speak at the South Coast Community Church on Bonita Canyon Road in Irvine.

Tickets at $6 for general admission, $4 for UCI students and $5 for other students, senior citizens and UCI affiliates are available at the Bren Center Box Office and Ticketron. For credit card, mail or telephone orders, call (714) 856-5000.