Vincent Nouyrigat, editor-in-chief of the magazineEpsilon tells us today about a return to our planet Earth for four astronauts who have just spent eight months in the international space station, the ISS.
franceinfo: These four astronauts touched the ground on Friday October 25, and they are not in good shape?
Vincent Nouyrigat: That's the least we can say: the three Americans and the Russian who were brought back to Earth by a Space X capsule on October 25 were briefly hospitalized a few days ago; the precise reasons have not been disclosed by NASA – medical confidentiality requires – but it seems that it is linked to their long stay in orbit, more than 200 days. A mission which was extended by two months by the setbacks of the Boeing capsule, which we have heard a lot about.
As much upon takeoff, the astronauts, these modern heroes, give off an impression of power and vitality, as much in orbit and back on earth, their state seems quite lamentable: you perhaps remember the images of Thomas Pesquet, unable to walk upon his return to Earth; and this week, photos of the very thin face of astronaut Sunita Williams, currently on board the ISS, are causing a lot of reaction.
But how serious is it? ?
It's rather worrying, yes. Because the effects are not limited to a simple loss of bone or muscle mass, linked to the absence of gravity – these symptoms are reversible. In fact, not a month goes by without a study revealing the dangers of life in weightlessness, and under the effect of cosmic radiation; knowing that the absence of gravity alters the normal flow of bodily fluids, and that radiation damages tissue.
For example, this summer, a study revealed the extent to which these space conditions disrupted the proper functioning of the kidneys – and it is true that astronauts are subject to very painful kidney stones. In September, an experiment carried out aboard the ISS showed that heart tissue was weakened and prone to arrhythmias. Doctors have real cardiovascular fears for astronauts.
At the end of October, we discovered, during another experiment, that neurons were undergoing accelerated aging. And many other laboratory or diagnostic experiments carried out on astronauts have highlighted cerebral, immune, arterial risks, and very frequent vision problems.
What calls into question space travel?
In any case, the question arises at a time when NASA plans to set foot on the Moon with its Artemis mission, in September 2026, with the intention of settling there permanently. Which also poses other types of problems: the very fine and abrasive lunar dust irritates the lungs and eyes, and could have long-term toxic effects.
In short, agencies can no longer ignore these risks, and biologists are currently trying to find solutions, antioxidant treatments, drug protocols, sometimes worthy of those inflicted on elderly people with heart disease. There are even some who are working on the possibility of putting astronauts into hibernation, this metabolic state would minimize the effect of radiation during a long trip to Mars.
Well, astronauts know they are taking big risks. But this worrying panorama would rather encourage ordinary mortals to stay with their feet firmly on Earth.
