Humanity's evolution in space without gravity?

Question

According to NASA in the next 20 years people will live in space. Reproduction will eventually occur, and with it adaptation to it's new environment. Over generations evolution will occur far quicker than it took us to reach our present form.

First thoughts that pop into my head...

Without gravity, our noses will not need to point downward, we may not need noses at all, just smell receivers.

Will we need our feet anymore? presumably in a zero-g environment pre-hensile feet like hands would be more useful

Child birth itself has been designed with gravity at its' core, what would happen there?

Gravity controls how tall we get to a degree; I could see us getting really tall and spindly too....

What physical changes could you imagine happening over the generations if we stay in space?

Crikey, you lot are no fun...

Answer 1

I'm fairly certain that man would go out of its way to create some form of artificial gravity in order to maintain an environment that we feel comfortable in, thus minimizing somewhat any extreme evolutionary changes like a "third eye" on the back of our heads.

However, it would be incredibly short-sighted to think that nothing would change at all.

Being in the hull of a ship for many generations, with limited exposure to sunlight would probably bleach the color of our skin. Heck - it might go as far as becoming somewhat transparent.

Because we are stuck in rooms or capsules - our ability to see further becomes less of a priority. Therefore, our eyes would probably start to separate further, to the possible extreme of to the sides of our heads... such as fish - to allow us to see in near 360 degrees, allowing us to keep a constant eye on our immediate surroundings.

Anyway - best of luck - I am surprised as to how many people criticized the question rather then attempting to use their imaginations to answer it. ;-)

Answer 2

I think the scientists of Nasa and other interested scientists have already thought about these things. It is likely that they will find ways to emulate the conditions that we know here on Earth. So expect things like artificial gravity or in the first stages of space colonization that women with child will be shipped back to Earth or onto a Space Station with sufficient gravity or capacity to generate it.

If they would follow the route you foresee it would likely give rise to a new species of humans with all desired and more stressing undesired consequences.

Though to follow your scenario; let's say a party of people ventures further away from Earth into space with no planets or other heavy bodies near and in a vessel that uses most of its energy for propulsion and not for something fancy as artificial gravity then things will radically change and quite rapidly as such. In all likeliness those people will over time lose most of their bones and could end up looking like squids or even jellyfish. The water of the deep seas on Earth sort of functions like an anti-gravity device. Though since the air in a space vessel lacks the fluidity of water, this could result into the forming of even an exo-skeleton. So they could well end up like a form of humanoid insects. Especially if you take into account that conditions in space may result in bumpier rides than the emptiness of it would make us assume. There is a mention of osteoporosis-like indications measurable in the bone tissue of astronauts after all.

My guess therefore is that before we will issue long stays in space and venturing out into deep space will coincide with the invention of artificial gravity devices. Because if our astronauts do return after a few generations and they look like squid, jellyfish or insect we will most likely shoot them to dust. Probably thinking that they were aliens who hijacked our vessels.

Great great question. But I have no more to offer than this brainfart. After re-reading maybe one of the stages is for humans to look like space-seals or something!

Answer 3

Initially the only thing that would happen is a decrease in bone and muscle mass. In zero-g you wouldn't need to be able to push 100-200 pounds every single day with your legs, so the fetus would be born with underdeveloped skeleton and muscles. It would be doubtful that the infant born in space would even be able to return to the Earth since the gravity would be crushing to that person.

Answer 4

Ah but thats all assuming that there will be no man-made control over the lack of gravity as if there was, you could be-bunk all your theories.

But giving you the golden chalice here, do you think people would still deny evolution?

Answer 5

I'd say humans need to have their brains yanked out through their nosehole before they even try some crap like that......isn't evolution a thing that happens on it's own, if it happens at all....

I'll be staying here on earth.....I do have a few people in mind to ship out to space on the pilot program.....

Answer 6

With a bit of chirogenic manipulation, we can breed a master race of space cephalopoideia ... And as you point out- we'll be able to dispense altogether with those awkward stork deliveries ..

Answer 7

Wow. That's an extremely deep question, though mayhaps a tad inaccurate. Who's to say I know, though? I failed Biology!

Well, you know the grey aliens?

I think we may look like them after a while.

- 16 yo Pagan

Answer 8

how can you support nasa really said that?
i think all your questions are based on your own suppositions
...but hey, you deserve some merit for writing so much.
keep the good work.

Answer 9

Interesting question, but it would be far more applicable in biology, astronomy, or even philosophy.

Answer 10

Clearly you understand nothing about evolution.