As part of a study to understand the effects of space exploration on the human body, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who was stationed in space for a year, has returned. He brought to light key health issues faced by astronauts. Interestingly, among those facts is that he has grown two inches taller.
According to CNBC, one of the advantages NASA has in having Kelly as part of the study is the fact that he has an identical twin brother, Mark, who is also a NASA astronaut. Mark has spent the last year on the ground. Hence, any modification in genes could be monitored between the two brothers.
From now on, NASA researchers together with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute will follow Kelly closely to ascertain health issues such as muscle functions, balance issues, and heart functions. Kelly is currently the only astronaut to have spent the most amount of time in space.
Recently, The Verge reported that the spinal muscles of astronauts grow weaker due to lack of gravity, leading to weaker spines and loss in curvature. This is just one of the major concerns of scientists who send astronauts into space.
Scientists suggest that as astronauts no longer walker but float in space with no load bearing on the bones, they tend to become weaker and brittle. In addition, as the heart does not have to work as hard, with time it could lead to a decrease in heart size as well.
Furthermore, prolonged space exploration could lead to increased radiation affecting endothelial cells which line blood vessels. Scientists believe this could, in turn, lead to coronary heart disease.
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