Astronauts' Hearts Handle Weightlessness and Simulated Mars Gravity
In short
- The study tracked 13 astronauts over months of spaceflight.
- Hearts adapted to weightlessness without major problems.
- Hearts also handled simulated Martian gravity, with regular exercise helping.
Why the Good News Desk likes this one
Long trips to Mars would expose crews to months of weightlessness, which can weaken the heart. This study suggests astronauts' hearts adapted and handled simulated Martian gravity without major trouble. The findings are an early signal for mission planning rather than a final verdict.
From ScienceDaily
A new study tracking 13 astronauts suggests that the human heart may be surprisingly well equipped for a journey to Mars, especially with regular exercise during spaceflight. Researchers found that astronauts' hearts adapted to months of weightlessness and handled simulated Martian gravity without major problems, offering new hope for future missions to the Red Planet.
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For kids
Astronauts float in space for many months. A new study of 13 of them found their hearts adapted well, and exercise helped. This is good news for future trips to Mars. What do you think it would be like to float in space?
