Hayley Arceneaux is hardly the picture of a traditional astronaut. The 32-year-old physician assistant has a metal rod inserted into her leg to replace cancerous bone segments removed in a brawl with the disease as a child.
But in September 2021, she became the youngest American civilian to orbit the Earth as a member of SpaceXs Inspiration4 mission. Led by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, the trip was the first to carry an all-civilian crew of four people to space and opened a unique opportunity to investigate how spaceflight changes our bodies and mindsnot for trained astronauts, but for everyday people. The crew agreed to have biological samples taken before, during, and after the three-day flight. They also tested their cognition throughout the trip.
In over 40 studies released last week, researchers found that radiation and low gravity rapidly changed the bodys inner workings. After just three days, the immune system and gene expression were out of whack, and cloudy thinking set in.
The good news? Upon returning to Earth, most of these troubles eased.
Together, the package of data is the largest to date detailing spaceflights impact on the body. This is the beginning of precision medicine for spaceflight, Christopher Mason at Weill Cornell Medicine, who co-authored some of the papers, told Nature. This is the biggest release of biomedical data from astronauts, he added when speaking to Science.
All the data acquired from the crew during and after their mission is publicly available in NASAs Open Science Data Repository.
Were in a new space race, with multiple countries sprinting to revisit the moon and beyond. At the same time, commercial spaceflight for those eager to see Earth-rise and experience the mind-boggling effects of zero gravity is becoming more common.
From NASA studies, we already know spaceflight changes the body. For the past six decades, NASA has carefully characterized impacts such as increased long-term cancer risks from radiation exposure, changes in vision, and muscle and bone wasting. Comparative data from twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kellywith one twin on Earth and the other in orbitfound more specific biological changes relating to spaceflight.
However, most studies follow highly-trained astronauts. They often have a military background and are in tip-top physical shape. Their missions can last months in zero-gravityobviously far longer than a three-day jaunt.
To make spaceflight available to the rest of us, analyzing biological changes in civilian astronauts could better represent how our bodies react to space. Enter Inspiration4. The lead sponsor, Isaacman, recruited three everyday people to go on the first commercial trip to orbit the Earth. Arceneaux and Isaacman were joined by Sian Proctor, a lecturer who teaches geoscience, and an engineer, Christopher Sembroski. Their ages ranged from 29 to 51 years old.
The crew agreed to take blood, saliva, urine, and feces samples during their three days in space. They also wore fitness trackers and took cognitive tests. All this information was processed and added to the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA). The database includes the volunteers genomes, gene expression, and an atlas of proteins that make up and control bodily functions.
Inspiration4 orbited Earth at a much higher altitude than the International Space Station, where astronauts usually reside, so the new dataset captured biological changes on short-term, high-altitude missions with samples from a wider range of demographics. Up to 40 percent of the findings are new, Mason told Science.
Surprisingly, the samples reflected bodily changes that have previously only been seen on long-term spaceflights. The most prominent was an increase in telomere lengththe protective end caps that keeps our genetic code intact. When cells replicate, these protective caps erodea biological signature thats often associated with aging.
However, during Kellys year in space, his telomeres actually grew longer, suggesting that in a way his cells were made biologically youngernot necessary a win, as abnormally long telomeres have been linked to cancer risk. Once he returned to Earth, however, his telomeres returned to their normal length.
Like Kelly, the Inspiration4 crew also experienced a sudden lengthening and shortening of their telomeres, despite only three days in space, suggesting fast-acting biological changes. Digging deeper, one research team found that RNAthe messenger molecule that helps translate DNA into proteinswas rapidly altered in the crew, similar to changes observed in people climbing Mount Everestanother extreme scenario where there is gravity, but limited oxygen and increased radiation.
To study author Susan Bailey at Colorado State University, the cause of telomere lengthening may not be weightlessness per se; rather, its likely due to radiation at high altitudes and in space.
Another study found that space stressed the crews immune system at the gene expression level in a group of white blood cellsthose that tackle infections and cancers. Some parts of the immune system seemed to be on high alert; but the stress of spaceflight also affected genes that battle infections, suggesting a decreased ability to fight off viruses and pathogens. Using multi-omics data, the team found a spaceflight signature of gene expression related to immune system function.
The crew also showed signs of cosmic kidney disease. Molecular signals highlighted a potential increased risk for kidney stones. While not a problem for a three-day flight, for a longer missionsay, to the moon or Marskidney problems could rapidly escalate into a medical crisis.
The civilian astronauts cognition also faltered. Using iPads, the crew tackled a slew of mental tasks. These included, for example, the ability to focus and maintain attention in several standardized tests or to press a button when a stopwatch suddenly popped onto a screen. Within three days, their performance declined compared to when they were on the ground.
Our speed response was slowerthat surprised me, Arceneaux told the New York Times. However, rather than reflecting cognitive problems due to space travel, it could also be because the crew were distracted by the sight of Earth right out the window.
With data from just four people, its hard to draw conclusions. Most tissue samples were compared to previous data from NASA astronauts or the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. That said, when you see the same protein or genetic signatures changing across different missions and people, thats when you start believing it, co-author Afshin Beheshti at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science told Nature.
All the data was gathered into the SOMA database for other scientists to explore, and tissue samples were stored in a biobank. As commercial spaceflights become more common, scientists may have the opportunity to collect data before, during, and after a mission to further grasp what traveling beyond Earth means for the rest of us. For example, are there any triggers for severe motion sickness while being shot into space?
These insights could also give us time to develop potential treatments to ward off the negative effects of spaceflight for longer trips across the solar system.
Inspiration4 was just the first commercial sprint into space. Several other missions are on the books, including Polaris Dawn, which is set to launch as early as next monthwith the goal of attempting the first commercial spacewalk.
Soon well have more data from multiple missions and multiple crews. Im optimistic about the future, said study author Mason.
As for Arceneaux, since landing back on Earth shes continued her work as a physician assistant at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Remembering her view from orbit, she told The New York Times, We are all one on this beautiful planet.
Image Credit: Inspiration4 crew in orbit / Inspiration4
Link:
Here's How Much Spaceflight Changes the Body's Biology in Just Three Days - Singularity Hub
- Armadillo’s Level 2 LLC attempt coming soon? - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Decisions, decisions - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Armadillo versus the weather - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Photos from Armadillo’s Saturday flights - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Armadillo Level 2 Flight 1 - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Meanwhile, elsewhere in the LLC race - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Masten gets halfway there - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Xombie photos (finally!) - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Is the media clowning around? - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Galactic Suite “on schedule”? - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Scientist Guest Column: Using Commercial Suborbital Spacecraft for Microgravity Chemistry Research - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Building Spaceport Infrastructure: An Overview of the STIM-Grants Program - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Five Years After SpaceShipOne’s Historic X PRIZE Flight, New Challenges Await - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Masten Space Systems Makes Successful Flights to Qualify for $150K NASA Lunar Lander Prize Level 1 - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Distinguished Former NASA Astronauts Endorse Commercial Spaceflight in Wall Street Journal Op-Ed - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- NASA Chief Praises Commercial Spaceflight, Suborbital Science, & Innovation Prizes in Speech - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- CSF Welcomes Strong Support for Commercial Human Spaceflight in White House Panel’s Report - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Commercial Spaceflight Federation President Bretton Alexander Appointed to the NASA Advisory Council - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- In November 5th Public Ceremony, NASA to Award $1.65 Million In Prizes for Commercial Spaceflight Successes - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- CSF Congratulates Winners of NASA’s $2 Million Lunar Lander Challenge - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Welcome to the NewSpace Journal - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Some things even Virgin can’t control - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- While you’re waiting for the rollout… - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- SpaceShipTwo rollout: initial impressions - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- A couple of pics - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- SpaceShipTwo slideshow - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- The Virgin party’s aftermath - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Investment in Commercial Spaceflight Grows to $1.46 Billion, Updated Industry Study Reveals - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Former Astronaut-Astronomer, Sam Durrance, Joins the CSF Suborbital Researchers Group - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Commercial Spaceflight Federation Announces Creation and Initial Membership of Spaceports Council - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- CSF President Bretton Alexander Testifies Before House Science Committee on Spaceflight Safety - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- CSF Vice-Chairman Jeff Greason Testifies Before House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Commercial Spaceflight Regulation - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- Virgin Galactic Unveils SpaceShipTwo - December 13th, 2009 [December 13th, 2009]
- So that’s why Aabar invested in Virgin? - December 15th, 2009 [December 15th, 2009]
- More about the Virgin rollout aftermath - December 17th, 2009 [December 17th, 2009]
- Space tourism as “the final undiscovered frontier”? - December 17th, 2009 [December 17th, 2009]
- Orion Propulsion acquired - December 17th, 2009 [December 17th, 2009]
- Spaceport America developments - December 18th, 2009 [December 18th, 2009]
- XCOR wins a major customer - December 19th, 2009 [December 19th, 2009]
- Centennial Challenges, Spaceport Infrastructure Grants, and Suborbital Science to Receive Funds from NASA and FAA - December 22nd, 2009 [December 22nd, 2009]
- Video tour of Spaceport America - December 24th, 2009 [December 24th, 2009]
- Virgin’s web traffic planning - December 24th, 2009 [December 24th, 2009]
- List of Speakers Announced for the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference in February - December 31st, 2009 [December 31st, 2009]
- Popular Science Features Commercial Spaceflight on January Cover, Discusses NASA Partnerships - January 4th, 2010 [January 4th, 2010]
- Aviation Week honors the “Space Entrepreneur” - January 5th, 2010 [January 5th, 2010]
- “The Space Entrepreneur” Named by Aviation Week Magazine As Its 2009 Person of the Year - January 5th, 2010 [January 5th, 2010]
- Additional notes about Olsen’s book - January 6th, 2010 [January 6th, 2010]
- Registration deadline approaching for suborbital science conference - January 8th, 2010 [January 8th, 2010]
- NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver to Keynote the Next-Generation Suborbital Researchers Conference in February - January 11th, 2010 [January 11th, 2010]
- Cecil Field gets spaceport license – but will anyone use it? - January 12th, 2010 [January 12th, 2010]
- Training begins for suborbital scientist-astronauts - January 12th, 2010 [January 12th, 2010]
- First Class of Suborbital Scientist-Astronauts Successfully Complete NASTAR Training Program - January 14th, 2010 [January 14th, 2010]
- Is “space tour guide” in your professional future? - January 17th, 2010 [January 17th, 2010]
- What can Florida, Indiana, and others learn from Oklahoma? - January 17th, 2010 [January 17th, 2010]
- Virginia wants money, New Mexico wants laws - January 21st, 2010 [January 21st, 2010]
- Commercial Spaceflight Federation Responds to the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel’s 2009 Annual Report - January 21st, 2010 [January 21st, 2010]
- CSF Statement on NASA’s Anticipated Announcement of a $6 Billion Commercial Crew Program and NASA Budget Increase - January 29th, 2010 [January 29th, 2010]
- CSF Welcomes New NASA Human Spaceflight Plan, Congratulates Commercial Crew Development Winners - February 1st, 2010 [February 1st, 2010]
- NASA Unveils Commercial Human Spaceflight Development Agreements and Announces $50 Million in Seed Funding for Commercial Crew - February 3rd, 2010 [February 3rd, 2010]
- James Cameron Endorses Commercial Spaceflight, New NASA Plan - February 4th, 2010 [February 4th, 2010]
- Newt Gingrich and Bob Walker Endorse Obama’s New NASA Plan, Urge Bipartisan Support - February 13th, 2010 [February 13th, 2010]
- Blue Origin proposes orbital vehicle - February 18th, 2010 [February 18th, 2010]
- CSF Announces New Research and Education Affiliates Program, Initial Participating Universities - February 18th, 2010 [February 18th, 2010]
- CSF Welcomes Historic NASA Commitment of $75 Million for Commercial Suborbital Flights, Payloads - February 18th, 2010 [February 18th, 2010]
- Suborbital vehicle development updates - February 19th, 2010 [February 19th, 2010]
- Other conference announcements - February 21st, 2010 [February 21st, 2010]
- Bigger prizes to come? - February 23rd, 2010 [February 23rd, 2010]
- Gov. Bill Richardson Endorses Commercial Spaceflight, Obama’s New NASA Plan - February 23rd, 2010 [February 23rd, 2010]
- Over 250 People Attend Next-Gen Suborbital Researchers Conference, 2011 Meeting Planned for Florida - February 24th, 2010 [February 24th, 2010]
- Boston Globe, Nature, New York Times Editorial Boards Among Others Welcoming New NASA Plan - February 25th, 2010 [February 25th, 2010]
- Commercial Spaceflight Federation Commends New Mexico for Passage of Key Liability Legislation - March 2nd, 2010 [March 2nd, 2010]
- Burt Rutan’s BigThink - March 3rd, 2010 [March 3rd, 2010]
- Brief notes: Soyuz, Virgin, and… iCarly? - March 5th, 2010 [March 5th, 2010]
- Commercial Spaceflight Federation 2009 Annual Report Highlights Industry Progress - March 8th, 2010 [March 8th, 2010]
- SpaceShipTwo flies, on schedule - March 23rd, 2010 [March 23rd, 2010]
- SpaceShipTwo captive carry flight video - March 23rd, 2010 [March 23rd, 2010]
- Over the Mojave Desert, Suborbital Vehicles Take Flight - March 28th, 2010 [March 28th, 2010]
- See WK2 and SS2 fly in New Mexico this October - March 29th, 2010 [March 29th, 2010]
- SA10: Commercial RLV Technology Roadmap update - April 9th, 2010 [April 9th, 2010]
- An evolving Armadillo - April 11th, 2010 [April 11th, 2010]