Health Challenges and Adaptations for Artemis Astronauts During Short-Term Space Missions

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 03:06:00 +0200

The article explores how a 10-day journey in space, such as one planned for NASA's Artemis missions, could impact the physical and mental well-being of astronauts. Even relatively short spaceflights expose crew members to microgravity, radiation, confinement, and disrupted sleep cycles. Researchers are studying how these conditions affect muscle loss, bone density, cardiovascular health, and immune response, as well as psychological resilience. Medical teams will use data from previous missions, such as Apollo and the International Space Station, to prepare countermeasures like specialized exercise regimens, nutrition plans, and protective gear. The Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually prepare for Mars travel, making understanding short-term health effects crucial for long-term exploration goals. Although astronauts undergo extensive training and medical assessment, space remains a uniquely difficult environment, and each mission adds valuable data on how th