Human Missions to Mars Would Likely Result in Kidney Damage

The largest analysis to date of kidney health in spaceflight could dash hopes that human missions to Mars are on the near horizon.

Keith Siew, PhD, MSc, BSc, et al studied the health consequences of exposure to microgravity and galactic cosmic radiation over years-long missions. Their study, published in Nature Communications, found that space travel can remodel the kidneys and cause renal damage and dysfunction. The study examined samples from more than 40 space missions involving humans and mice, plus 11 space simulations involving mice and rats. Certain parts of the kidneys showed signs of shrinkage after less than a month in space.

The findings do not necessarily preclude future human missions to Mars, but finding ways to protect astronauts’ kidneys would be required.

Source: Nature Communications