How Space Travel Could Change Human Biology
Space travel is no longer just science fiction. With missions to Mars in the planning stages and more astronauts spending extended time in orbit, scientists are focusing on a critical question—how does space travel affect human biology? The human body, designed for life on Earth, faces unique challenges in space. From changes in muscles to shifts in the brain, space is an entirely different world for our biology. Gravity and Its Absence One of the most noticeable changes astronauts experience is due to the lack of gravity. On Earth, gravity keeps our bones strong and muscles engaged. In space, where gravity is almost absent, the body starts to behave differently. Muscles weaken because they don’t have to work as hard. Bones start to lose density, a condition similar to osteoporosis. Even with exercise, astronauts can lose up to 1% of bone mass per month while in space. This muscle and bone loss is reversible once they return to Earth, but scientists are still studying the long-term eff...