Four astronauts are about to embark on a 10-day journey to the Moon and back – but what will 240 hours in space do to their bodies?
Experts reveal the health risks, from space sickness to "chicken legs" - muscle loss and weakening of the legs.
Although Artemis II is considered a short-term mission, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch will face a number of challenges. Dr. Irene Di Giulio from the Centre for Human Sciences and Applied Physiology at King's College London explains that the long-term risks are "significantly lower" compared to those staying for months on the International Space Station (ISS).
However, they will be exposed to high levels of radiation, which can cause nausea.
"The body needs a few days to adjust, so you may experience some space sickness. The movement of fluids from the lower back to the head can cause discomfort and swelling," she says.
Sudden changes in the light-dark cycle and the use of artificial light can cause sleep disturbances. Likewise, mental stress and isolation, especially during life in a confined space, can affect performance.
Last year, before-and-after images showed the toll that nine months in space took on astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams: weight loss, muscle atrophy, and an older appearance.
Artemis II astronauts are not expected to experience such a dramatic decline in muscle and bone health. “The effects on muscle and bone from long missions typically occur after prolonged exposure to altered gravity,” explains Dr. Di Giulio. “But bone loss and muscle weakness can begin within days, as previous NASA missions have shown.”
These effects highlight the importance of in-flight exercise to protect bones and muscles. Activities before, during, and after a mission can help reduce these effects. Space sickness can be reduced with training and medication, muscle weakness with on-board exercise, and sleep disturbances with a structured schedule and controlled light.
During the mission, the crew will test every system on the Orion spacecraft and collect biological data to understand the effects of deep space travel on the body. This will help plan future missions, including long-distance journeys to Mars.
Dr. Di Giulio explains: “Artemis II is the first step towards landing on the Moon and establishing a long-term presence there. There are numerous challenges to minimizing the effects of space on the human body. Although the mission is short, it provides valuable data for longer missions and a sustainable lunar presence.”
NASA has identified five major hazards of human flight: space radiation, isolation and confinement, distance from Earth, gravity, and confined or hostile environments. The Apollo missions also revealed additional issues on the Moon: lunar dust and motion stability.
If humans ever establish a base on the Moon, they will face radiation that increases the risk of cancer, organ damage, and effects on the nervous system. The Moon's gravity is 1/6 that of Earth, causing muscle weakness, bone loss, and cardiovascular changes that affect the brain and eyes. Moon dust is pungent and can cause respiratory, skin, and eye problems.
Dr. Di Giulio emphasizes: “To establish a long-term presence on the Moon, medical autonomy is essential. Habitats must have diagnostic tools, medical supplies, and trained crews to treat injuries or illnesses independently.”
During training for Artemis II, astronauts learned space medical emergencies, first aid, CPR, wound care, and the use of medical kits, also practicing in simulated microgravity environments, such as underwater. /GazetaExpress/
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