How astronauts combat debilitating effects of space

Astronauts undaunted by harsh effects of space on human body

HOUSTON -- Astronaut Michael Barratt spent more than six months on the International Space Station, making him well qualified for his current job as manager of NASA's Human Research Program, studying the effects of space on the human body.

NASA combating effects of space travel on the human body
"The rush of fluids that are normally kept in your lower body by gravity all of a sudden are free to move up to your chest and up to your head, and you feel like you're hanging on the monkey bars upside down," he says.

Barratt, a medical doctor, says a more serious problem is that months of zero gravity can leave bones brittle and muscles weak. Fortunately, there's a simple solution: vigorous exercise that offsets the loss of muscle and bone mass.

Tom Marshburn CBS News
"It feels just like you're in the gym, and we work on squats very hard, as well as upper body work," says astronaut Tom Marshburn, who got through four strenuous space walks with the help of exercise.

"When I finished my five-month mission, I was able to stand up, walk a straight line, and it's quite an accomplishment," Marshburn says. "We had not been able to do that before."

When not in space, Marshburn works on the strength and dexterity needed for space walks in a giant pool at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. But some effects of space on the human body don't have simple answers.

"It's safe to say that radiation is our biggest concern," Barratt says. "Unfortunately, the space flight environment is a radiation environment."

Astronauts train in a giant pool at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. CBS News
Radiation, much of it from solar flares, can increase the risk of cancer. Barratt says the best way to reduce radiation would be speed, or limiting astronauts' time in deep space.

Flying to Mars with today's technology could take six months.

"Well, what if we could fly there in a couple of months, a few weeks? That helps our radiation profile tremendously," Barratt says.

That kind of speed, though, is a long way off.

But for astronauts, the lure of space travel overwhelms medical concerns.

Asked if he would go to Mars if he had the opportunity, Barratt snaps his fingers and replies, "Like that."

A manned mission to the Red Planet won't happen for more than 15 years, but at the Johnson Space Center, they're already waiting in line.

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.