Space Travel Impact On Human Body: 7 Ways The Health Of An Astronaut Gets Affected

The recent success of India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, landing softly on the lunar surface, has ignited global interest in space exploration. While this particular mission was unmanned, questions regarding the health and safety of astronauts during space travel have been circulating. Delving into various research and studies, we uncover seven intriguing insights into how space travel or prolonged stays in space impact the human body.

The Effects of Space Travel on the Human Body Extended periods of microgravity in space, often lasting six months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), present significant challenges to the health of astronauts. Some have even participated in research programs that span a full year. Based on their experiences, we’ve compiled seven distinct health impacts that astronauts face, some of which are quite startling:

1. Stretched Spine Living in space can lead to a temporary increase in height, around 3%, due to the microgravity environment causing spinal discs to expand. Similar to a compressed spring returning to its original shape when pressure is released, astronauts’ heights revert to normal after returning to Earth.
2. Muscle Atrophy Weightlessness in space can cause muscles to lose mass, resulting in muscle atrophy. Without regular exercise, muscles can become less dense and resemble jelly. To counter this, astronauts on the ISS engage in at least two hours of daily exercise, including weight lifting with specialized machines that function in zero gravity.
3. Decreased Bone Density In addition to muscle loss, bone density can also diminish in space due to the microgravity environment. Lack of regular exercise may lead to weakened bones that are prone to fractures. Astronauts might experience a monthly loss of around 1% in bone density. Regular exercise and proper nutrition are essential to maintaining bone density.
4. Facial Swelling Gravity plays a crucial role in distributing body fluids. In microgravity, fluids spread out around the body, causing astronauts’ faces to appear puffy while their legs might appear thinner. Upon returning to Earth, their bodies gradually return to their normal state.
5. Vision Impairments Studies suggest potential vision problems resulting from extended stays in space. Research from 2013 revealed that 27 astronauts who spent roughly 108 days on the ISS displayed eye abnormalities. Some experienced optic nerve bloating, and MRIs indicated flattened eyeballs in certain cases.
6. Compromised Immune System Microgravity conditions can negatively affect the body’s immune system. Factors like radiation exposure, microgravity, stress, isolation, and disrupted sleep cycles can weaken the immune response. Astronauts on deep space missions or prolonged stays are at risk of hypersensitivity, infections, and autoimmune disorders. Skin rashes and allergies are common issues faced by astronauts.
7. Impaired Coordination Living in a zero-gravity environment poses challenges not only to the body but also to the brain’s coordination functions. Astronauts returning from space often experience difficulties recalibrating their vestibular system, affecting their sense of balance and coordination. This can lead to shaky movements and a lack of coordination, which may take months to fully recover.

Becoming an astronaut and living in space come with numerous challenges. Despite the potential risks, astronauts knowingly embark on these journeys, putting their health and safety on the line.