Hibernation and Torpor

In nature, various species can physically make themselves more resilient toward such stresses in nature´s challenging conditions, from the seasonal low temperatures and the lack of food, or the geographic heat and the lack of water. This adaptation is called torpor and it is extremely attractive to be induced in a controlled manner, also in so-called non-hibernators as we humans are, because of its potentially wide use in medicine or for humans on a long-duration human space missions to Mars and beyond. The reduction of an astronauts´ metabolism by torpor would become a key advancement and a game changer for human space exploration since water and food intake could be reduced by up to 75%, thus reducing the spacecraft required payload.

The aim of this Topical Team is to review the current state-of-the-art in the hibernation and torpor line of research and to provide recommendations to ESA on this topic and the future line of research.