Four non-professional astronauts who spent three days off Earth in September 2021 experienced physical and mental changes, including declines in cognitive tests and genetic changes within their cells. Most changes reverted to normal after returning to Earth, with no significant caution for future space travelers. The research highlighted the lack of medical knowledge in this area.
Key Points
Non-professional astronauts on the Inspiration4 mission experienced physical and mental changes during their three-day space trip
Most changes reverted to normal upon returning to Earth, highlighting the resilience of the human body
Data collected from space travelers can help advance medical research and develop countermeasures for spaceflight-related health issues
Pros
Opportunity to gather valuable data on the effects of space travel on human physiology and psychology
Potential for tailoring treatments to individual astronauts to combat spaceflight effects
Cons
Limited understanding of the long-term effects of space travel on human health
Potential health risks such as kidney stone formation and cognitive deficits