A future crewed mission to Mars could expose astronauts to health risks that extend beyond the challenges of spending months in space. New research in rats suggests that cosmic radiation similar to what humans might encounter on journeys to and from Mars may increase scar tissue around small blood vessels in the heart, raising concerns about the long-term cardiovascular effects of deep-space travel. The finding has not yet been confirmed in humans.
Cosmic radiation and the heart
Cosmic radiation consists of high-energy particles originating throughout the universe. During a long-duration mission, some of these particles may penetrate the human body and damage vital organs.
The new research found evidence that rats exposed to radiation resembling the levels astronauts could encounter during missions to and from Mars developed more scar tissue around small blood vessels in the heart than rats that were not exposed to the radiation. The study was published in PLOS One.
Although the result has not been confirmed in humans, it adds to growing concern about the long-term health effects of sending astronauts on extended space missions. Researchers are studying a range of potential risks, including the effects of prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation and the physical demands of living in space for months at a time.
Planning future Mars missions
NASA and other space agencies are considering how humans might eventually travel to Mars and beyond. Understanding whether space radiation can cause lasting damage to the heart and other organs will be important when assessing the safety of those missions.
Source: www.livescience.com