3 replies to this topic

[YOLF]

Check it out!

 

So... Now I guess they will need to find a way to protect the patient from solar and extrasolar radiation. If they can do that, they'll be able to preserve patients much more indefinitely than by using liquid nitrogen (LN2).

[caliban]

Other than publicity, what are the possible benefits of  orbital cryonics?
 
  24.08.17 Cryonics in orbit is already a reality
It is not. There are merely plans for it.  Often authors complain about editors adding misleading and sensational headlines. Let us assume this was the case here. 
 
On August 10, 2017, the Russian cryonics company KrioRus entered into a long-term agreement with the Space Technologies Consortium to launch cryopreserved patients, cryopreserved animal bodies and DNA samples to orbit for long-term cryopreservation. The terms of the agreement also specify research in the field of cryonics and hypobiosis in near-earth orbit. The technology of cryopreservation and sending cryopreserved patients to near-earth orbit is an innovation of Russian scientists, a unique proposal in the world and the only one for today. The partners emphasized that Russian enterprises with Russian technologies participate in the implementation of innovation, all developments are the intellectual property of Russian specialists and companies. The implementation of innovation envisages public-private partnership of Russian companies.
It is unlikely that cryonics will succeed as a nationalistic endeavor. 

According to the partners, this project is aimed to advance Russian science, cosmonautics and economy. Innovative technologies in the framework of the agreement presuppose attraction of financial resources to the Russian economy, providing Russian enterprises and institutions with both public and private investments from all over the world. Orbital cryopreservation services, whole body or brain only, are now available to all, upon receipt of delivery.
Buzzword bingo? 

As reported by Space Technologies and KrioRus, the procedure for launching cargo, the nano- or minisatellite with cryocapsule, must follow a strict protocol of technical requirements and schedule in conformance with Russian and international legislation.
Well, how will property disputes be resolved considering the rising problem of space junk.  Will capsules be private property? 

The period of preparation for shipment of individual cargo will be approximately two years.
So the patient will be stored 'conventionally' for two years? 
 
Rocket launch has its own insurance and guarantees, the partners assure us. The customer may choose the orbital path.
What does that mean? 

The apparatus with a capsule containing cryopreserved body or brain will feature a safe thermal coating, affording also protection for the capsule from the effects of cosmic radiation and will allow the hermetic capsule with liquid nitrogen to be stored in a stable predetermined state.
And this will be stable for how long? The typical range of temperatures is quoted as -170˚C to 123˚C for LEO satellites while -250˚C to 300˚C could be experienced in other orbits. The immense challenge of radiation shielding has already been mentioned .  

In the event of a capsule leakage, emergency telemetry will be received on Earth, where the tracking and control of the devices with the stored body or brain will be carried out for timely resolution of whatever problem. In such an event, it is planned to deploy repair satellites currently under development.
How credible is this? The only satellite repair has been achieved from shuttles and even that is on pause right now. Who would cover these costs and how quickly could they act?

Nanosatellites with cryocapsules will be manufactured in Russia and launched into orbit from Russian launch facilities. Any payload can be launched into orbit individually or included within any larger cargo manifest. The choice of options will only effect the launch cost and the duration of the preparation. The group plan will be cheaper and quicker.
The expected cost of keeping the cryopreserved brain in near-Earth orbit with KrioRus company begin from 250 000 US dollars. 
So how have they arrived at this figure?

In future, research in planned into hypobiosis, a reversible sharp decrease in the intensity of vital processes, highly desirable in space exploration and development, in accordance with the forward looking vision of the founder of practical cosmonautics, Sergey Pavlovich Korolev. The development of nano- and minisatellite for the brain and body of cryopatients is prototypic of the rescue cryocapsule to be featured in next generation spacecraft.
There is of course a long-standing association of the theory of cryonics and theories of space travel. Which would make this announcement good news if it was more credible and research- focused. 

You can contact KrioRus specialists on the details of the terms of launching cryopatients into orbit and about relevant research beginning from August 21, 2017.
There are doubts and concerns in 'the West' about including 'newcomer' KrioRus in the list of reputable cryonics providers. 
I wonder if such schemes help or hinder, or if KrioRus even cares because (as such announcements may seem to indicate) its strategy is oriented towards impressing the Russian super-rich.

[PWAIN]

You seem to be coming from a very negative angle. It may be that nothing comes of this or it could be a disaster but it is not like it will affect you. Much loved Musk took a similar approach by tapping the rich first before moving to a more affordable car. Getting a bunch of Russian billionaires to fund this may well be the way to go. I think the ideal would be to store the patients in the shadow of the earth, not sure if that is possible but it would deal with solar radiation and temperature variations.

[YOLF]

You seem to be coming from a very negative angle. It may be that nothing comes of this or it could be a disaster but it is not like it will affect you. Much loved Musk took a similar approach by tapping the rich first before moving to a more affordable car. Getting a bunch of Russian billionaires to fund this may well be the way to go. I think the ideal would be to store the patients in the shadow of the earth, not sure if that is possible but it would deal with solar radiation and temperature variations.

I was thinking they'd go with a modular storage system and make it part of a space station, leaving those patients in conventional storage for the time being until electromagnetic launch circuits made it inexpensive. I don't think it will involve conventional rocketry. 

 

In the US, the per kg cost of payload into space is $20,200, a 100 kg whole body payload (leaving room for packing materials) would still be inline with 'the works' at Alcor. I've heard it costs less per kg in Russia, so it would come in at less than $202,000 + Space Station fee + KrioRus standard costs.

 

The cool thing is that someone is offering it. It's about time.