• Question: If there is a mars expedition into space how will no gravity affect their anatomy so they can never return to earth?

    Asked by inquisitive to Claire, Kate, Matt, Rob, Sam on 18 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Kate Husband

      Kate Husband answered on 18 Jun 2013:

      I’m not sure about how the lack of gravity might affect the body but the main issue is the amount of radiation in space. It’s easily enough to give you cancer.
      The other issue is that its extremely expensive to get to Mars and expensive to get back. So I think that’s why they often say its only one way (that cant afford to bring them back again) – harsh I know!

    • Photo: Sam Geen

      Sam Geen answered on 18 Jun 2013:

      So there is gravity on Mars! But it’s lower than on Earth – about a third of Earth’s. This means that unless you exercise a lot your bones will get weaker and standing up in Earth’s gravity will be harder. This is why astronauts work out all the time – they have to keep themselves strong so they can stand up when they come back from space, where they don’t feel gravity.

      (Note – in orbit there is still gravity, but the centrapetal force cancels it out, so you don’t feel any gravity. In effect in orbit you’re always falling, but you always miss hitting the ground!)

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