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Space travel challenges: How astronauts combat health risks in microgravity

Astronauts face health risks in space, including bone loss, vision changes, and radiation exposure. NASA researchers are exploring solutions such as artificial gravity to ensure astronaut safety on future deep-space missions.

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2 years ago

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Astronaut exercising aboard the International Space Station

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) follow a rigorous exercise routine to counteract the lack of gravity, which affects muscles and bones. While missions usually last six months, some astronauts stay up to a year. Researchers are confident in maintaining astronaut health over this duration.

On Earth, even basic movement builds muscle and strengthens bones due to gravitational resistance. However, in orbit, astronauts rely on three exercise machines, including a resistance device installed in 2009. This device simulates free weights using vacuum tubes and flywheel cables.

A two-hour daily workout routine is essential for astronaut fitness. “The best results that we have to show that we’re being very effective is that we don’t really have a fracture problem in astronauts when they return to the ground,” said Bokhari. However, bone loss remains detectable in scans.

Balance and fluid shifts pose major concerns

Space travel disrupts balance, affecting all astronauts, even those on short missions. Emmanuel Urquieta, vice chair of Aerospace Medicine at the University of Central Florida, stated that astronauts must undergo NASA’s 45-day post-mission rehabilitation program to retrain their bodies.

Another issue is “fluid shift,” where bodily fluids move toward the head in microgravity. This can increase calcium levels in urine, raising the risk of kidney stones. Additionally, fluid shifts can lead to increased intracranial pressure, altering the shape of the eyeball and causing spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), resulting in mild-to-moderate vision impairment.

Interestingly, in some cases, SANS has led to improved vision. NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, for instance, experienced a rare benefit. “When I launched, I wore glasses and contacts, but due to globe flattening, I now have 20/15 vision—most expensive corrective surgery possible. Thank you, taxpayers,” she remarked.

Managing radiation risks

Radiation exposure remains a significant concern. While the ISS passes through the Van Allen radiation belt, Earth’s magnetic field offers some protection. However, radiation levels remain higher than on Earth. NASA aims to limit astronauts’ increased lifetime cancer risk to within three percent.

Future deep-space missions to the Moon and Mars will expose astronauts to even greater radiation levels. Astrophysicist Siegfried Eggl explained that while heavy materials like lead or water provide effective shielding, their vast quantity requirements make them impractical.

Space probes could offer some warning for coronal mass ejections—plasma clouds from the Sun—but cosmic radiation remains largely unpredictable.

Possible solutions: Artificial gravity and propulsion advancements

One solution to counteract health issues is artificial gravity, created by rotating spacecraft frames, which could help astronauts remain functional after extended travel. Another approach is using powerful acceleration and deceleration to simulate Earth’s gravity, reducing both the effects of microgravity and radiation exposure. However, this method requires nuclear propulsion technologies that are still under development.

Psychological challenges in space missions

Beyond physical health, maintaining team dynamics in confined environments is crucial. Joseph Keebler, a psychologist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, highlighted the difficulty of long-duration space travel.

“Imagine being stuck in a van with anybody for three years: these vessels aren’t that big, there’s no privacy, there’s no backyard to go to,” he explained. “I really commend astronauts that commit to this. It’s an unfathomable job.”

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PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

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3 weeks ago

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September 4, 2026

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.

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Indian-origin astronaut Anil Menon begins first mission to International Space Station

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has launched aboard Soyuz MS-29 on his first mission to the International Space Station, where he is expected to spend around eight months conducting research.

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2 months ago

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July 14, 2026

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Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon has embarked on his first journey into space after successfully launching aboard Russia’s Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission lifted off from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:17 PM on Tuesday. Menon was accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina as the three-member crew began their expedition to the orbiting laboratory.

Crew to spend about eight months aboard ISS

The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft is expected to dock with the International Space Station a little over three hours after launch. Once aboard the ISS, the crew will carry out a range of scientific research and technology demonstration projects during their mission.

The expedition is scheduled to last approximately eight months, with the crew expected to return to Earth in 2027 after completing their planned activities in orbit.

Menon’s maiden spaceflight marks a significant milestone in his astronaut career as he joins the International Space Station crew for long-duration research and operational work.

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Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to meet PM Modi after return from historic space mission

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, will meet PM Modi this evening. Parliament will also hold a special discussion on his historic journey.

Published

1 year ago

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August 18, 2025

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Subhanshu shukla

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at his official residence in New Delhi.

PM Modi to host meeting with astronaut

According to officials, the meeting at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg is expected to take place between 5 pm and 5:30 pm. Shukla, who arrived in India on Sunday, will also be part of the National Space Day celebrations scheduled for August 23.

Warm welcome in India

The astronaut was greeted at the airport by his family, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and hundreds of citizens waving the national flag. Shukla had been in the United States for a year, preparing for the Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS the next day. He served as the mission’s pilot.

Emotional note from Shukla

Before his return, Shukla shared an emotional post on Instagram, expressing mixed feelings of leaving his space colleagues while being eager to meet his loved ones and people of India. He also quoted a song from the film Swades, which he had chosen as his anthem on the launch day.

Parliament session on India’s space journey

In honour of Shukla’s mission, the Lok Sabha is holding a special session today to discuss “India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS – critical role of space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047.” Union minister Kiren Rijiju said the discussion would highlight the importance of India’s space achievements and future goals.

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