17 weird things that could happen to anyone who travels into Space
It's Space a go-go with the news that the Falcon Heavy successfully took off from Cape Canaveral and we're all now wondering if one day humans will routinely slip on a spacesuit and explore the Solar System. But apart from needing to earn millions of dollars in order to afford a ticket, there are a number of weird things that happen to the human body once it leaves the Earth's atmosphere, as any seasoned astronaut will tell you!
Here are 17 strange effects that Space travel has on the human body
1. Your eyesight will be worse once you return to Earth
Astronauts who've spent time in space have reported visual impairment upon their return to Earth. Visual impairment intracranial pressure syndrome (VIIP) causes eyesight to worsen in orbit and once astronauts are back on Terra Firma, how long it lasts depends in each individual. Despite numerous studies by NASA no explanation has been forthcoming on the subject - one of the reasons why missions to Mars are still under question whilst scientists try to figure out how to avoid or treat this bizarre visual phenomenon.
2. You'll grow taller!
If you want to grow a bit taller, then heading into Space could do the trick! Sadly, it's a temporary phenomenon linked to the lack of gravity, which causes the spine to elongate. This has been confirmed by ultrasounds on astronauts who return to Earth and are temporarily taller before gravity shrinks them back to their usual height.
3. Radiation will harm your health
Space radiation is dangerous, but Earth's atmosphere provides us with a certain level of protection. Scientists studying possible missions to Mars have noted that the Red Planet's weak atmosphere means the human body won't be shielded from space radiation that reaches its surface and the race is on to find a solution to this deadly problem.
4. Your nails may fall off
22 astronauts found that their nails fell off during Space missions. Some studies claim this is caused by the gloves they wear as they put pressure on the nails, so designers are now working on nail-friendly versions for future Space travelers.
5. Your inner ear accelerometer function will fail
The human inner ear works as an accelerometer that controls and balances our movements. This is why people who have inner ear problems suffer from the room-spinning effects of vertigo. Once in Space our internal accelerometer stops working and numerous astronauts have reported symptoms of vertigo a few days after leaving Earth. Scientists are working on artificial gravity solutions that could prevent this dizzying problem from occurring.
6. Your body fluids will go haywire
A lack of gravity doesn't just mean you can 'fly', but also wreaks havoc with body fluids - as it does with any liquid. Our blood, for example, will flow up to our heads rather than down to our feet, which explains why some astronauts have slightly 'rounder' faces when they return to Earth.
7. Your heart will shrink
As the muscle that keeps our bodies going, it's important to know that it shrinks. It can't as easily pump blood around the body and becomes more spherical in shape. Studies currently being undertaken could not only save astronauts but also anyone who has cardio problems.
8. Your muscles will waste away
Astronauts regularly exercise whilst they're in space in order to prevent atrophy, a condition that wastes away muscles and bones. The longer the mission or trip, the worse it becomes, meaning that you'd have to hit the treadmill on a daily basis!
9. You're likely to have psychological problems
A lot of science fiction films portray astronauts who gradually lose their minds and the problem's real! There are currently numerous studies on the effects of being in close confinement with other people - something pertinent to any Mars mission where travelers would be confined in an environment that also lacks natural light.
10. Is death inevitable if a space suit gets torn?
© Warner Bros. © 20th Century Fox
If you wonder whether movies have got this right, then rest assured NASA has confirmed that you'll only have 15 seconds before you pass out. This would be followed by asphyxia and decompression. 10 seconds without a functioning space suit is enough to make your blood boil and your lungs will be pulverized in 30 seconds. All in all, you'll last about a minute, so yes, death is on the cards!
11. What does zero gravity actually do?
Zero gravity has a profound effect on the human body, which is why scientists are so keen to reproduce this phenomenon on Earth in order to anticipate problems that could occur in Space. The legendary physicist, Stephen Hawking, experienced it in 2007.
12. Studies on twins is helping us to learn more about the effects of Space travel on the human body
Scott and Mark Kelly are twins who were used as guinea pigs for a study on astronauts' safety and performance. Scott went into Space and Mark stayed on Earth. Both underwent the same medical tests and the results were mind-blowing. For example C reactive protein levels, which measures inflammation, showed that Scott's were much higher. This may have been due to stress, but scientists are working hard on understanding exactly what genetic problems could occur to anyone who spends time in Space.
13. Black holes would disintegrate your body
It's hypothetical but pretty certain that if a human got sucked into a black hole, they would instantly dissolve into billions of ions. It's also believed that their sense of time would change and they'd be able to see the present, past and future all at the same time. Unfortunately this would be hard to prove, as they'd be busy suffering an instant death
14. A sense of humor will save you
Ask anyone who works for NASA and they'll tell you that being an astronaut in Space is one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in the world, so a good sense of humor is vital if you're going to effectively deal with both its physical and emotional demands.
We love this 'for sale' photo of an astronaut trying to repair two satellites!
15. You'll miss 'home'
As with all of us, astronauts moan about life in general, but once they're thousands of miles from Earth, they get really homesick!
16. You may become superstitious
A little bit of luck's always welcome and astronauts tend to develop rites and rituals before heading off on a mission; this photo from the Apollo 10 mission is proof enough!
17. Safety is paramount
The safety harnesses are an astronaut's best friend if they don't want to float off into Space or in case there's an accident. If something does go really wrong and the crew can't rescue you, you'll float around for about 6 hours at which point you'll run out of oxygen - the worse possible way for an astronaut to die!
That said, NASA and other space agencies have devised a system called 'Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue' that's designed to get astronauts safely back to their vessel.
So, what do you think? Ready to book a seat for a test mission to Mars or would you rather keep your feet firmly on Mother Earth?
By Straker Julia
Writer
Passionate about writing, I write articles on the subjects that I love. Creativity and Animals themes are my favorites!
