What are the health risks of space travel ?

Posted on Sunday, 16 December, 2012 | Comment icon

41 comments | News tip by: Waspie_Dwarf

Image credit: Virgin Galactic

With trips in to space soon to become the norm, what health risks should space tourists be aware of ?

Space is a dangerous place and up until now only those who have undergone extensive preparation and training have made the journey beyond our terrestrial sphere. As the space tourism industry starts to take off however, more and more everyday individuals will be given the chance to experience what it's like to travel in space. The health risks of these trips is likely to become a pressing issue in the near future.

Even on short trips, ill-effects such as motion sickness, fatigue, dehydration and a loss of appetite are to be expected. The massive vertical acceleration and deceleration could also have an affect on the human heart by making it more difficult for blood to be pumped to the brain. Individuals with a cardiovascular condition are therefore unlikely to be given permission to fly.

Astronauts are limited to spending six months on the International Space Station, around 200 miles above Earth, for a good reason.

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Source: BBC News

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Recent comments on this story

#32 Posted by GirlfromOz on 21 December, 2012, 8:41

I think that it becomes a version of muscular dystrophy.You are void of the effects of gravity & your muscles become weak & accustomed to the lack of weight & gravity.I personally don't think that I would like to experience these reactions.Let me stay here,down on the ground!LOL!

#33 Posted by freetoroam on 21 December, 2012, 12:52

If there are any other life forms out there travelling the universe, then the likeliness of them being the same as us is very slim, unless they have managed to invent a craft which a human type being can travel in....then this would mean they are far superior to us. But I have always said the chances are there is other life forms, but not as we know it. Just because man thinks he is so clever, does not mean we are infact lightyears behind our neighbours.

#34 Posted by ealdwita on 21 December, 2012, 16:09

Well personally, I see no need whatsoever to make anti-Jewish statements...Oh wait....!

#35 Posted by Waspie_Dwarf on 21 December, 2012, 19:21

And this is on topic how? This is a topic about the potential health risks to humans it has NOTHING to do with extraterrestrial life at all. There is an entire forum for discussions on that subject, Please try to stay on topic. Thank you.

#36 Posted by R4z3rsPar4d0x on 23 December, 2012, 22:50

I wouldnt think space travel even just outside our earths orbit would be something that the government would take on, especially with all the health risks possible

#37 Posted by Waspie_Dwarf on 23 December, 2012, 23:06

Your statement goes against every available fact and leads me to ask you several questions: [list=a][*]Given that they did exactly that, with Apollo, 9 times in the between 1968 and 1972 why do you think they wouldn't do it again? [*]Given that the Apollo astronauts suffered no ill effects and that astronauts have been shown to return to health even after 6 month missions, so much so that NASA and Roscosmos are now planning for 12 month missions, what are the problems you believe will stop astronauts going beyond Earth orbit? [*]Why do you think NASA is developing the Space Launch Syst... [More]

#38 Posted by R4z3rsPar4d0x on 28 December, 2012, 18:38

I wasnt reffering to astronauts I must have read it wrong I was refering to just everyday people that arent in the condition or the shape to go up into space. My fault I must have read it wrong.

#39 Posted by King Cobra 1408 on 29 December, 2012, 0:03

true space can be a dangerous place but so is the earth so whats the difference besides what you guys mentioned?anyway we see violence here on the planet and etc.also anything could be "normal" it depends on how we see things."Normal" has no real definition it depends on how we see things thats it.but space flight should be availble to everyone not only the rich or people with money.no special priviledge.if only the rich could go then whats the purpose and use.it should be a reasonable price and fair not super expensive that only the rich go

#40 Posted by eden_19 on 8 January, 2013, 8:20

Is this really for real?

#41 Posted by Render on 8 January, 2013, 11:52

Or is this just fantasy?

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