Who stayed in space for over a year?
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and his team safely returned to Earth after spending 371 continuous days in space. Rubio and ROSCOSMOS cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin left the International Space Station (ISS) and landed in Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan.
Frank did lots of cool science stuff during his mission on the ISS. His mission will also help scientists learn how being in space for a long time affects people.
What was the state of Rubio’s body after returning from space?
Since Frank Rubio had spent so much time in the ISS's low-gravity environment, he was unable to move on his own. So, he had to be carried out of the capsule on which he returned to Earth by the rescue team.
How does staying in space affect the human body?
Things work differently in space because there's no gravity pulling you down like on Earth. This can cause some changes in astronauts' bodies. For example, their muscles and bones can get weaker.
The muscles in their back, neck, and calves, which help them stand up straight, can lose a lot of strength. Sometimes, astronauts become a bit taller in space because there's no gravity pushing down on them. This can cause back pain when they return to Earth.
Maintaining weight in space is difficult. Although NASA provides its astronauts with various nutritional foods, it can still affect an astronaut's physique. The cognitive ability of some astronauts is also affected after they return to Earth. This is because the brain has to readjust to the Earth’s gravity.
Why does NASA research what happens to human bodies in space?
NASA's scientists study what happens to astronauts' bodies in space. They use this information to make sure astronauts are safe on their trips. They also use their learning to improve spaceships and spacesuits and create better exercise and training programs. This will help NASA prepare for future moon and Mars missions.
