Going to space is hard on the body. Astronauts need extensive training to travel up there, but it doesn’t all end when they get off the ship. Life on the International Space Station is not easy: you can’t shower, toilets are not like the ones on Earth, and even walking around is a struggle in zero gravity. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. We don’t know exactly what long-term effects spending too much time in space can have. Are you curious about the changes astronauts’ bodies undergo on the ISS? Keep reading to find out more!
Sea-sickness but in the air
You know how some people get carsick on long trips or seasick when they get on a boat? The same thing can happen in space. Gravity up in the ISS is weaker than on Earth, so there’s a lot of floating around, and not everybody finds it pleasant…
The lower gravity can mess with the tiny vestibular organ in our ears that help us keep our balance. That can cause “space sickness,” which includes symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and vomiting. Most astronauts get used to it, but it’s definitely not a pleasant experience.
