Produced by: Tarun Mishra
NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams are facing an extended mission on the International Space Station (ISS) due to a technical malfunction in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Originally scheduled for a brief stay in June, the astronauts are now expected to remain on the ISS until 2025.
Experts have raised concerns about the health implications of prolonged space missions. Studies indicate that extended time in space can lead to significant health issues, including bone density loss, vision problems, muscle atrophy, and exposure to intense radiation.
Astronauts in space experience accelerated bone loss due to the microgravity environment, which is around 90% of Earth's gravity. This loss occurs at a rate approximately 12 times faster than severe osteoporosis on Earth, increasing the risk of fractures and other bone-related issues.
Prolonged exposure to microgravity also results in the loss of muscle mass and alterations in heart shape and function. NASA studies have shown that astronauts can lose up to 50% of their muscle mass during extended missions, leading to decreased physical capabilities.
Vision problems are a documented risk for astronauts on long-duration space missions. The changes in intracranial pressure in microgravity can affect eyesight, and there are also potential cognitive issues that could arise from extended time in space.
Astronauts on the ISS are exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation, equivalent to a year’s worth of Earth-based radiation each day. This exposure significantly increases the risk of developing cancer later in life, making timely return to Earth crucial.
The microgravity environment can also lead to the formation of kidney stones, which are a known risk during long-term space missions. In addition to the issues mentioned, astronauts may face other health challenges that require careful monitoring and potentially urgent medical intervention.