NASA has conducted a study that looks at the effects of being in space on the human body, and they are calling it the “Twins Study”. The two test subjects are identical twin astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly. Mark and Scott are the only twins to have traveled to space. The information collected can be extremely valuable now, as we consider sending people to Mars.
The premise of the study is to examine the differences in twins who were originally genetically identical after one spends time in space. Scott Kelly spent 340 days in space from 2015-2016, but Mark stayed on Earth during this time (making him the control group). Each twin provided NASA will different biological samples before, while, and after Scott was in space. The findings showed various differences in Scott’s DNA compared to Mark’s. Such changes included an increase in genes related to the immune system, DNA repair, and stress. Scott also lost weight, had a decrease in blood pressure, had worsened eyesight due to a thickening of the optic nerve. Positive changes in his motor function and spatial awareness were found. None of the changes the study found were life-threatening, and most returned to normal after Scott was back on Earth for about 6 months.
Historically, astronauts have experienced a variety of health challenges while in space. These include headaches, nausea, insomnia, a decrease in muscle mass, a decrease in bone density, a lower red blood cell count, and a worsening of vision. Astronomers are hoping that by studying the specific genetic changes found in Scott Kelly, they can create medicine to help minimize the symptoms of space travel by specifically looking at the biochemistry of astronauts. This study could be instrumental in being able to send people into space on the long journey to Mars.
Campbell's Astronomical Analysis 
This study is incredibly interesting! Astronauts take on many health risks when they decide to go to space, but it is very encouraging for the future of space to travel to hear that none of the changes that Scott Kelly underwent during his year in space were life-threatening. If you want to learn more about Scott’s year aboard the International Space Station, or about the lives of astronauts in general, you should read Scott Kelly’s book “Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery”. It is definitely one the best books I have ever read!
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Thanks for the recommendation I didn’t know he had a book! It would definitely be so cool to read about an astronaut’s experiences from their perspective!
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Wow, this is fascinating! I hadn’t realized that there were twin astronauts who both traveled to space! You read a lot about hypothetical examples of twins, one of whom travels to space while the other stays on Earth, but it is awesome for science that we could conduct such an experiment in real life. I was glad to read that Scott mostly returned to normal after six months; personally, if I were going into space, my worst fear would be suffering from lifelong conditions. Nevertheless, traveling to Mars would still expose a human to a tremendous amount of radiation, so we will have to address that issue before we can send people over there.
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I love this study! I followed Scott Kelly on twitter when he was up in space for the final time and he talked a lot about being an astronaut and what kind of studies they do on the ISS. He wrote an article about his time back on Earth and how being in space affected him so severely. What he did was pivotal in terms of space travel and gives a lot of information on the specific symptoms of being in space. Great last post!
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From a TA: There are definitely a number of medical issues that make long term space travel a challenge. Apparently, astronauts crave spicy foods after they land due to their diminished senses of taste and smell coupled with congestion (“Charlie Brown Effect”)
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/02/23/147294191/why-astronauts-crave-tabasco-sauce?t=1542626100683
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