Is EXPLORING SPACE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH?

Scientists are trying learn more about the effects of deep space on human bodies.

Plan so far: Land the next human beings on the Moon by 2024. If everything goes according to plan, you can also use Earth’s natural satellite for a jumpstart to Mars.

We will first need to understand the effects of deep space exploration on human health before we can make that happen.

TESTING IN LOW ORBIT

It may seem that we need to have lots of information about the effects of space on our bodies. It has been explored by astronauts since 1961 when Yuri Gagarin, an astronaut, was the first to cross it. It was just for two hours, and data from historic moon missions are limited to a few weeks at a stretch. A trip to Mars would, however, take many months.

Researchers use simulators and analogs on Earth to simulate space conditions in order to study the impact on human biology. To study the physiological effects that prolonged space travel can have on the human body, the Translational Research Institute for Space Health(TRISH) is developing a Mars mission simulation. Although not a perfect analogy NASA’s Human Research Program is currently monitoring the ISS crew to determine how it adapts to living in longer periods of space.

Because the ISS is in low Earth orbit, where astronauts are generally safe from harmful space radiation, it’s an ideal research location. The conditions there still cause fundamental biological changes to the system than those on Earth. NASA’s Twins Study, which tracked the biological and psychological changes of identical twins while they were in space (Scott Kelly), while Mark Kelly remained on Earth (Mark Kelly). The study was designed to examine the effects of spaceflight on the human body. While there were many changes that researchers documented, they found that several of them disappeared after Scott returned to Earth. However, some of these changes remained six months after Scott’s return to Earth. These included DNA damage from chromosomal Inversions, shortened telomeres which are linked with aging, and diminished cognitive function.

MOVING OUT

LEO is a wonderful way to study people in space. But it doesn’t answer deep-space questions. The ISS lies approximately 250 miles (400km) from Earth’s surface. Mars, on the other hand, is around 140 million miles (225 millions km) away.

Astronauts will be exposed, once beyond Earth’s magnetic field, to galactic cosmic radio, a new form of radiation for the body.

Humans will be moving further away from Earth and we will have to think about how this distance will affect our mood and stress levels. NASA has noted that stress hormones are elevated in a cramped environment, which can cause a weakening of the immune system.

Also, consider the changing gravity landscape. Astronauts would travel from Earth’s gravitational pull to Mars’ gravity, and then go back to Earth’s gravity. This is roughly one-third of Earth’s gravitational pull. If anyone returns to Earth, they would see the opposite situation. These transitions can cause issues in coordination, orientation, and movement. Many people feel motion sickness while in space.

There are many analogs that exist on Earth to study these hazards. NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog or HERA at the Johnson Space Center is three-story habitat designed to simulate isolation and close quarters for future space explorers. For further research on the effects of isolation, scientists also look at the experiences of Antarctica workers.

TRISH employs advanced tools known as complex in vitro models (CIVMs), which are used to analyze how tissues react to cosmic radiation. CIVMs are artificially engineered, 3D cell cultures, organs and tissues on chips, which can be used to model physiological and anatomical aspects of human biology. TRISH will send various cell samples to the Moon over the long-term in order to model many human traits like sex, gender and ethnicity. If a medical emergency were to occur, they would know the best course of action.

It is simply not possible to go home for a sick or family day when you are so far away.