What Happens to Astronauts' Bodies in Space?

Two astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, are spending nearly a year in space due to technical issues. They were originally planned to spend a week in space but have been stuck there for nine months. The human body goes through many changes in space. Gravity is different in space. This can affect how a person moves and feels. It can also cause space motion sickness. Fluids in the body shift upwards, which can lead to vision problems and kidney stones. Weightlessness can cause bones to lose mineral density and muscles to lose mass. Astronauts use special tools and medicines to fight these effects. Space has more radiation than Earth. This can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases. Researchers are working to find ways to protect astronauts from this radiation.

Long stays in space can change a person's eyes. This is called Space-Associate Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). It can cause swelling in the back of the eye and vision changes. The heart also changes in space. It doesn't have to work as hard, which can lead to deconditioning and a decrease in size. This can cause issues when the astronaut returns to Earth. The astronauts were asked about the impact on their bodies and whether space flights get harder with age. Wilmore said his "joints don't ache because there's no pressure on them. " They were prepared to stay for a long time, as that's what human space flight is all about, planning for unexpected contingencies. Astronauts have to prepare for unexpected events. They need to be ready for anything that could happen in space. This includes changes to the body and the challenges of living in a different environment.

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