Space Facts: How Do Astronauts Survive in the Space? Know Post-Affects on the Human Body

Space Travel After Effects: The recent technical glitch in NASA’s Boeing Starliner left two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station (ISS). Due to issues with the spacecraft’s thrusters, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded on an eight-day space mission for the past two months, which has delayed their return. The Starliner might not be able to safely bring William and Wilmore back to Earth due to leaks and broken thrusters. Amidst this, NASA is still unclear about when it would be possible to bring them back, however, it has been said that the astronauts are possibly stuck there till February 2025.

Prolonged space exploration can lead to several challenges for the astronauts, particularly impacting their bodies and health. Let us know what are the effects of space travel on the human body physically and mentally. 

Effects on Human Body in Space

Although space travel offers amazing scientific opportunities, it also poses serious risks to human health. The human body is profoundly impacted by the unique environment of space. 

Microgravity and Musculoskeletal System

The muscles of the astronauts deteriorate and contract over time because they are not required to support their body weight. The calf and thigh muscles are most impacted, which are used for walking and standing on Earth. Space travel causes a condition similar to osteoporosis by speeding up the loss of bone density. 1% to 2% of bone mass can be lost by astronauts each month, with the spine and pelvis bearing the brunt of this loss. Astronauts exercise rigorously, including resistance training and cardiovascular exercises, to maintain bone density and muscle strength in order to counteract these effects.

Cardiovascular System

Fluids in space move in the direction of the head, resulting in nasal congestion and “moon face.” This fluid shift has the potential to lower blood pressure and induce orthostatic hypotension, which makes astronauts feel lightheaded or faint when standing. The decreased workload may cause the heart to become more spherical in shape. Although the long-term effects are still being investigated, this may have an impact on how it functions.

Neurological Effects

Due to the competing signals coming from their inner ear and visual system, astronauts frequently experience symptoms like nausea and dizziness, similar to motion sickness. Sleep disturbances can result from space-related disruptions to circadian rhythms. Due to the lack of a natural day-night cycle in the International Space Station, astronauts find it difficult to adhere to consistent sleep schedules.

Immune System

According to research, immune system function can alter in astronauts, which could lead to a decreased capacity to fend off infections. It is believed that stress and the microgravity environment are connected to this suppression.

Radiation Exposure

Long-term space radiation exposure may raise the risk of developing cancer. Other health issues that radiation can affect are the possibility of nervous system damage and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.

Psychological Effects

Long-term missions may cause people to feel confined and alone, which may be detrimental to their mental health. Psychological assessments and training are necessary for astronauts to manage the pressures of spaceflight. Space missions depend heavily on the ability of their teams to function well together. Crew members receive training on how to resolve interpersonal disputes and uphold psychological resilience.

Post Rehabilitation

In order to recover from the physiological changes they experienced in space and to acclimate to Earth’s gravity, astronauts must undergo post-spaceflight rehabilitation. This includes:

Physical therapy to improve cardiovascular fitness, bone density, and muscle strength.

Medical monitoring to evaluate and treat any long-term effects of space travel on one’s health.

Psychological assistance to ease astronauts’ return to Earth and treat any psychological effects of their space flight experience.