] The state of suspended animation that astronauts enter
] during long-haul space flights is a staple of
] science-fiction movies. But now the European Space Agency
] (ESA) wants to turn it into reality.
]
]
] Agency staff are planning future research into the
] possibility of inducing a hibernation-like state in
] humans. "We are not sure whether it is possible," says
] Marco Biggiogera, an expert on hibernation mechanisms at
] the University of Pavia, Italy, who is advising ESA. "But
] it's not crazy."