Human Hibernation for long duration space travel

Graduated Induction of Hypometabolic States in Humans for Long-Duration Space Travel

This concept proposes a stepwise experimental research framework for progressively inducing hypometabolic states in humans — beginning with mild, clinically observable reductions in metabolic rate and advancing incrementally toward deeper states analogous to mammalian torpor and hibernation. Each stage of induction is studied, characterized, and validated before proceeding to the next, with physiological safety parameters defined at each threshold. The concept is distinct from proposals that treat human hibernation as a binary target; instead, it treats hypometabolism as a spectrum and positions incremental depth as both the experimental method and the measurable outcome. The intended application domain is long-duration human spaceflight, where metabolic suppression could reduce consumable requirements, mitigate physiological deconditioning, and extend crew viability on missions beyond low Earth orbit.

Comprehensive review of literature being consolidated in a Textbook for peer review: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12thkZnZvxG3LOEtKNjo4yL2e-mOLudQWnwJut3tObYE/edit?usp=sharing