Scott Kelly, the american astronaut that spend nearly a year in space returned to Earth and we are happy to say he is healthy. One of the main goals of his mission was exactly that, to see how well humans can endure, mind, body and spirit when they spend a long time in space. Kelly said he feels ” pretty good ” and now he begins a year long of tests to monitor his health after his journey. So let’s help you out and try to answer some of the questions you might have about what happens to your body after a year in space.
So what does a year in space can do to your body?
Brittle Bones
So obviously the astronauts don’t walk any more in space, they float around from spot to spot, so the bones in the legs,hips and spine experience a decrease in load bearing.
This usually leads to bone breakdown and the release of calcium which leaves the bone more brittle and weak. This release of calcium can also increase the risk of kidney stone formation and bone fractures. risks of the trade.
Weak musclesÂ
When you spend a lot of time in space, your legs and back muscles begin to weaken because you don’t use them as much, this could lead to fall related injuries and accidents during exploration missions.
Your face gets puffy
when you’re in space, your blood is flowing more upwards to the upper side of your body and a little less to the lower side, so while you’re in space you will have a puffy face and legs that are smaller in circumference
Smaller heart
Your heart will not have to work as hard while you’re in space, so after a while it may actually lead to a decrease in the size of the heart. There’s also a concern that the space radiation will affect endothelial cells, the lining of blood vessels which could initiate or accelerate coronary heart disease.
Increase cancer risk
Astronauts know that they are exposed to higher levels of radiation while in space that could potentially lead to cataracts and cancer.
Your internal clock will mess up
There’s no 24 hours clock in space, so you’re body will need to adjust  to that method once you return to Earth.
You get taller
Astronauts get a little bit taller in space, why? Because the disks in the spinal column are not compressed. let’s explain, while you’re on Earth, the disks are slightly compressed on each other due to gravity, in space, as you know, there’s no gravity, so there is no compression and the disks expand, and you get a little bit taller.
Source: nbcnews
