“This is the most in-depth examination we have ever conducted on a crew”, explains Christopher Mason, one of the main authors of the study published in Nature on Tuesday June 11, 2024. He and researchers from the most prestigious scientific institutions in the world have examined all the data concerning the state of health of four space tourists from Space X. In September 2021, they had spent three days in orbit without any professional astronauts on board. Changes in the blood, heart, skin, proteins, kidneys, genes, cells: nothing, or almost nothing, of the body has been forgotten.
Loss of bone mass
These effects are known to the scientific community: a manned flight can lead to loss of bone mass, heart, eye, kidney problems, etc. But the Nature study reports a new fact: 95% of these health markers return to normal. within three months of returning to Earth, according to Christopher Mason. He hopes these findings will help scientists identify what measures will best protect crews.
The sample size may seem small compared to the lucky 700 who have already visited space since the start of the conquest of space. But, as NASA researcher Afshin Beheshti points out, governments are not always inclined to share data from their missions.
Go to Mars with peace of mind
There is thus “no reason why we can’t get to and from Mars safely”, reassures Christopher Mason. However, “it is unlikely that we will make several trips given the importance of the radiation”, he nuances. Indeed, the study also shows that mice exposed to radiation equivalent to 2.5 years spent in space suffered permanent kidney damage.
Read also: Weightlessness, isolation… Can life be pleasant in space?
Understanding the impact of spaceflight on health responds to a double challenge. On the one hand, ensuring the smooth running of future manned missions to the Moon and beyond, but also those for space tourism. In the future, this thriving industry hopes to send anyone who can afford it into orbit. Just that.
