It would be convenient if real astronauts could hop in a sleep pod and wake up years later without aging a day. The bad news is we're nowhere near this reality. But scientists and engineers are collaborating with NASA and other space agencies to develop suspended animation projects for missions to Mars and beyond.

Is hibernation for space travel possible?

For astronauts on long space voyages, the safest way to travel may be in induced hibernation. ... They'll hibernate like bears as they hurtle through space for months at a time.

Is deep sleep in space possible?

So while it might be possible to induce humans into deep sleep by cooling the body, Heller said, a months-long spaceflight under such conditions is likely to be too damaging.