10 days in space: DNA damage and health risks of Artemis II astronauts

People have gone through millions of years of evolution to fit perfectly into life on Earth, so spending time in space - without gravity, without sunlight, and various levels of radiation certainly presents a physical challenge.

So what were the major health concerns that space travel presents and how it faces NASA with them?

Space Radiation

Astronauts are exposed to high energy radiation in space, unlike Earth, where the atmosphere and planetary magnetic fields offer a shield against it.

This could lead to DNA damage, increased risk of cancer, neurodegenerative effects, cardiovascular problems and immune system disorders, experts say.

The International Space Station (ISS), where astronauts spend most of their time, is somewhat protected from radiation from Earth's magnetosphere, as it is about 250 miles away.

But the more you go into space, the more radiation you get exposed, says Dr. Haig Entaflian, director of space medicine at UCLA.

“Once you go beyond Earth's low orbit, you lose much of the Earth's magnetic field protection”, he tells Sky News, adding that radiation is one of the “sfidas that present deep space.

Microgravity Effects

Sailing into space may seem very entertaining, but gravity plays a critical role in regulating bodily functions, and its absence has negative effects on human health, according to experts.

“The body was built to live and work on gravity. When that gravitational signal is removed, the inner ear must be recalibrated, muscles and bones are used differently, and fluids are moved up to the head”, says Dr. Einstein.

This is why we can see changes in balance, strength and, in some cases, in sight. ”

You'll see astronauts using specialized exercise equipment on their journey, and that's to deal with the fact that their troops are not facing the same forces they're used to on Earth.

Especially are they known for losing bone density, meaning that bones become weaker and more fragile.

For every month in space, the bones bearing the weight of astronauts become approximately 1% less dense unless precautions are taken, according to NASA.

They can also experience muscle atrophy, weakening, or diluting muscle tissue during their time in space.

Headaches are also widely reported to people in space. A study published in 2024 revealed that 22 of the 24 astronauts surveyed who traveled to space up to 26 weeks experienced them often while away from Earth.

Dr. Other common health concerns, says Antaflian, include nausea from movement, dizziness, cardiovascular condition, and sleep disorders.