(00:00) Embarking on a 20-Year Deep Space Mission: These astronauts are preparing for interstellar hibernation. Soon, they’ll be injected with compounds as their pods cool. This process, known as torpor inducement, mirrors animal hibernation. But why hibernate? In space, distances are immense, often taking years or lifetimes to cross. Hibernation essentially pauses time, syncing us with the universe’s rhythm. This state significantly slows aging; over the 20-year journey, astronauts will only age five months. Additionally, hibernation reduces the required supplies, equipment, and living space by 90%, enabling a smaller spacecraft. (00:40) The fusion-powered spaceship, Bomini, will travel beyond our solar system into interstellar space to intercept the rogue planet Solitaria. Ejected from the galaxy's core billions of years ago, Solitaria is now passing near our solar system. By studying and landing a shuttle on Solitaria, we aim to uncover its origins, its former system, and insights about the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's center. As we sleep among the stars, we leap through time to explore new worlds. (01:20) Currently, the cryosleep spaceship orbits Earth. The 22 passengers are preparing for interstellar hibernation, undergoing medical and psychological evaluations. Weeks before hibernation, they follow a nutrient-rich diet and exercise regimen to enhance muscle and bone density. (01:50) The astronauts are ready for launch. The spaceship ignites its thrusters, escapes Earth’s orbit, and begins its journey. The passengers monitor systems as the ship accelerates for 15 days at 1G (Earth’s gravity) before shutting off the thrusters. They then prepare for artificial gravity before entering hibernation. After 17 days, they start pre-induction protocols, including final communications, psychological prep, and connecting to health monitors. (02:40) Phase one involves pre-induction medication: a blend of anti-anxiety, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents to minimize stress, plus sedatives to prevent shivering. This phase takes 45 minutes. In phase two, a synthetic induction agent mimicking natural hibernation triggers is injected, gradually reducing metabolic rate, body temperature, and consciousness. Phase three, suspended animation, slowly induces a hibernation state over several hours, minimizing stress and shock. (03:50) The hypersleep pods autonomously perform final system checks and create a controlled micro-environment. These pods sustain life as the astronauts travel through the cosmos. In suspended animation, the metabolic rate and bodily functions drop to minimal levels, similar to certain surgical procedures or post-cardiac arrest torpor on Earth. (04:30) Animals like bears, hedgehogs, bats, and certain reptiles naturally hibernate. The spaceship’s name, Bomini, honors bumblebees, which also hibernate. Wood frogs freeze themselves for months, and Arctic ground squirrels hibernate for up to eight months. (05:00) During cryosleep, the human body temperature drops slightly, significantly slowing the heart rate and metabolism. Cryosleep pods monitor vital signs, administer nutrients and medications, adjust oxygen and CO2 levels, and manage waste. Dynamic fluid cell mattresses support the astronauts, adjusting pressure distribution for unexpected accelerations or decelerations. (06:00) The astronauts wear suits embedded with sensors and devices to maintain health during suspended animation. These suits monitor and respond to skin conditions, stimulate muscles to prevent atrophy, and enhance blood circulation. They also include EEG caps to track brain activity and automated defibrillators for emergencies. Pods can terminate hibernation and wake astronauts if necessary. (06:50) One year into the journey, the spaceship has crossed into interstellar space. The medical officer, or Sleepwalker, wakes annually to check life support systems, vital signs, and the spaceship's status. This role becomes crucial as the distance from Earth increases, complicating communication and emergency support. (07:30) The Sleepwalker ensures sterility aboard the spaceship, preventing bacterial evolution that could harm the astronauts upon waking. They also monitor radiation levels and the spaceship’s structural integrity against micrometeorites and radiation. (08:00) After completing their duties, the Sleepwalker returns to cryosleep. The Bomini travels silently through the dark void of space, with the only sign of life being the hum of the ship’s machinery. (08:30) While in cryosleep, astronauts do not dream, as brain activity is minimized to conserve energy and protect neural functions. Some astronauts have families in suspended animation on Earth, synchronized to reunite upon their return. (09:00) The spaceship is on a 20-year round trip, taking 10 years to reach Solitaria. Detected for its unusual density and rare isotopes, Solitaria hints at a violent past near the supermassive black hole at the galaxy’s center. The mission involves close-up observations, data collection, and a crewed shuttle landing to study its composition and history. (10:00) Nearing their destination, the hypersleep pods initiate the wakeup sequence, gradually rewarming the astronauts over seven hours to prevent thermal shock. IV fluids rehydrate them, and medications support blood pressure, prevent clots, and gently elevate consciousness. (10:30) The reawakening process differs from normal sleep. The astronauts experience disorientation and muscle weakness, similar to sleep paralysis. Sensory deprivation pods help ease the transition back to wakefulness over several weeks. (11:00) After a week of quarantine in the pods, the astronauts are closely monitored and slowly reintroduced to external stimuli. The chief medical officer, having been awake periodically, ensures a smooth transition. (11:30) As the spaceship decelerates towards Solitaria, astronauts send messages home. Their families, also in suspended animation, awaken to reunite in the same time and place. The spaceship finally reaches Solitaria, a dimly lit planet against the star-filled backdrop. (12:00) The astronauts adapt to movement and use virtual reality systems to reintegrate their senses. They prepare for the mission to study Solitaria, sending messages back to Earth and the interstellar AI network. The planet’s ancient material and history offer clues about the galaxy’s evolution and events near the supermassive black hole. (12:30) As the astronauts begin their work, they face the challenges and wonders of studying a rogue planet, continuing their mission to uncover the secrets of the cosmos. The spaceship approaches its destination, and the astronauts prepare for the final stages of their incredible journey.