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Surviving the Void: The Crucial Role of Microbiome Adaptation in Space Exploration
How Human Microbiome Adaptation to Space Environment Can Determine the Success of a Mars Mission and Beyond
Exploring deep space, such as missions to Mars, presents unique challenges for astronaut health. While we often focus on human cell adaptation to space radiation, we shouldn’t overlook the importance of microbiome adaptation. The microorganisms within astronauts’ bodies, space stations, or other spacecraft will also be exposed to radiation, which could induce resistance to antibiotics, UV radiation, heat, dehydration, and other life-threatening factors. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the potential effects of radiation not only on humans but also on their microbiome to develop effective risk mitigation strategies for space missions.
Studying the human microbiome in space missions can have several potential benefits, including better understanding of the primary effects of space travel on human health, development of new technologies for health monitoring, and the development of new therapies and radiation treatments. While the…
