A Year in Space: Why NASA Sent Four Astronauts on a Bold Mission

Problem: Imagine being stuck in a small, confined space with three other people for a whole year. No fresh air, no walks in the park, and only canned food to eat. Sounds pretty unbearable, right? Well, that’s exactly the situation NASA put four astronauts through in their groundbreaking “Year in Space” mission.

Agitation: You might be thinking, “Why on earth would they do that?” It wasn’t just some crazy experiment. NASA needed to understand the long-term effects of space travel on the human body. The agency had big plans for exploring Mars, and before sending people on that perilous journey, they needed to figure out how the human body would react to months of zero gravity, intense radiation, and the psychological stress of isolation.

Solution: The “Year in Space” mission, formally known as the “One-Year Mission,” was the answer. From 2015 to 2016, astronauts Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko spent 340 days on board the International Space Station (ISS). They were joined by two other astronauts who rotated in and out of the mission. This was the longest continuous human spaceflight ever, and it provided a unique opportunity to study the impact of extended space travel.

Benefits: The results of the mission were fascinating. The astronauts showed changes in their vision, bone density, and gene expression. They also experienced significant psychological challenges, including isolation, sleep disruption, and cognitive decline.

Data and Case Study: Here are some key findings:

• Vision Changes: Both Kelly and Kornienko experienced a flattening of their eyeballs, known as “spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome.” This condition can lead to blurry vision and other eye problems.

• Bone Loss: Despite exercising for two hours every day, both astronauts lost bone density, particularly in their lower limbs. This finding is crucial for ensuring the long-term health of astronauts on extended space missions.

• Gene Expression: The study revealed significant changes in gene expression, which may be linked to the astronauts’ exposure to radiation and other space environment factors.

Call to Action: The “Year in Space” mission was a critical step in understanding the challenges and risks of long-duration space travel. The data collected has informed future missions and will be essential for developing countermeasures to mitigate the effects of space on the human body. As we prepare for a future where humans explore further into the cosmos, this mission serves as a reminder of the incredible resilience of the human spirit and the vital role of scientific research in achieving our dreams.