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Space travel: Here's what happens to the human body

STR/ AFP / Getty Images Members of latest International Space Station shake hands before last exam before setting upSTR/ AFP / Getty Images
Norishige Kanai (right) has apologised after making a "measuring mistake"

Space is a dangerous and unforgiving place, and spending time away from gravity takes its toll on the human body, as many astronauts have found out after returning to Earth.

But what exactly are the risks?

Japanese astronaut Norishige Kanai this week may have briefly grabbed news headlines by announcing he had stretched a staggering 9cm (3.5in) in just three weeks onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

He later admitted he had miscalculated the figure and it was actually just 2cm (0.9in), but significant height changes are actually normal for astronauts spending time in space.

Without the strong pull of Earth's gravity, spinal vertebrae can expand or "unload" leading to a slight change of height. But research shows that once back on Earth, astronaut's heights go back to normal.

What happens during a year in space?

Usually astronauts are sent to the ISS for about six months at the time, but American Scott Kelly made history in 2016, after completing a 340-day trip alongside Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko.

The mission's aim was to gain a better understanding of what weightlessness, radiation and isolation does to the human body during long durations in space.

AFP Handout photograph of Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly overlooking earth from spaceAFP
Astronaut Scott Kelly has spent a total of 520 days in space in his lifetime

As one half of a pair of astronaut twins, Mr Kelly provided a unique opportunity in the study of long-term side effects of spaceflight. His brother Mark stayed at home for the mission, so the two could be compared afterwards.

"Most of the health problems aren't symptomatic, you can't sense your own bone mass," Scott Kelly told the BBC.

After arriving back on Earth, he had to go through rigorous body testing. The long period of time in space left him with an exhaustive list of symptoms.

Nasa via EPA Photograph of SpaceX cargo craft attached to the ISS, delivering suppliesNasa via EPA
The International Space Station has been in orbit since 1998

"I had soreness, stiffness, some bone loss and a bit of muscle loss. I had some swelling and an increase in my inner cranial pressure," he explained.

He also experienced skin conditions such as rashes and hives, as well as nausea and dizziness as he adjusted back to the Earth's atmosphere.

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"We weren't warned in any specific briefing, but you know that it's part of being an astronaut," he said.

Nasa via Getty Handout photograph shows Scott Kelly floating outside of space stationNasa via Getty
Mr Kelly is pictured on a space walk outside the International Space Station

Nasa said Mr Kelly's trip was an important step towards lowering the biomedical risk of space travel, which would help plan for future trips where astronauts may visit Mars and beyond.

Any mission to the red planet would take at least 30 months to complete, far longer than the maximum amount of time that humans have spent in space so far.

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Health issues for astronauts to overcome

  • The rapid change of gravity in space can cause a loss of bone density of up to 1% a month. This could lead to osteoporosis-related fractures and long-term health problems.
  • Lack of gravity can also cause body fluids to shift upwards, which may cause swelling, high-blood pressure and vision and organ problems. Nutrition and exercise become very important, and special measures like medications and body cuffs aim to reduce the risk of long-term medical problems associated with muscle and bone wastage.
ESA VIA GETTY Handout image from European Space Agency (ESA) shows a water region in Mars, pictured in 2005ESA VIA GETTY
The US congress has approved funding to Nasa, to get closer to a target of getting humans to Mars by the 2030s
  • Living in isolation and confinement can cause behavioural and psychological issues. Without a natural body clock, depression and sleep disorders can develop. The space station uses LED technology to imitate light on Earth to improve body rhythms.
  • A closed environment also means microbes in the body can transfer more easily. The environment can weaken the immune system, so urine, saliva and blood samples are carefully monitored to make sure dormant viruses have not been reactivated.
  • Radiation exposure is far higher in space than it is on Earth. Without the shielding of Earth, you could be more at risk of cancer and damage to the nervous system. Space radiation can also cause sickness and fatigue. The ISS sits just within the protective field on Earth to reduce risks, but missions further afield will need to overcome this.
  • Because Mars is a huge distance away from Earth (on average 140 million miles), Nasa is carefully planning what supplies would be needed for astronauts to be self-sufficient on such a long mission. Crew would be trained to monitor their bodies, and have adequate medical and food supplies to stay healthy.

Source: Nasa

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