Life Sciences Commons^™

How Does Spaceflight Affect The Human Body?, Sara Dina Feinzeig

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Spaceflight can impact just about every organ of the human body. The launch into space increases gravitational forces, which may decrease consciousness. Once subjected to the microgravity of outer space, the constant mechanical stress exerted on the body from Earth’s gravity decreases enormously, causing bone degeneration to occur. Calcium, a major component of bone is excreted in very high amounts, often leading to the formation of calcium kidney stones. Astronauts perform weight bearing exercise, take osteoporosis drugs and calcium and vitamin D supplements in order to combat bone loss. The vertebrae of the spine are also impacted by the lack …