Space travel takes a toll on the human body, with challenges like prolonged weightlessness and space radiation affecting muscles, the immune system, and even the heart. Despite women making up only 11% of the world’s astronauts, new research suggests they might be more resilient space travelers.
Key Findings from the Study:
- Greater Resilience in Women:
Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine discovered that female astronauts might handle the physical demands of space better than their male counterparts. - Study Details:
- The study examined astronauts from SpaceX’s Inspiration4 mission in 2021, which orbited Earth for three days.
- Samples of blood, saliva, and skin were taken from astronauts before, during, and after the mission.
- Results were compared to data from 64 astronauts, equally divided between men and women.
- Differences in Biological Response:
- Both male and female astronauts experienced significant changes in cells and immune systems.
- Female astronauts showed less impairment at the molecular level.
- Women also recovered more quickly than men in the months following space missions.
- Potential Reasons for Female Resilience:
- Christopher Mason, a genomics professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, speculates that women’s bodies may be more adapted to intense physiological changes due to the demands of pregnancy.
- Need for Further Research:
- The study’s small sample size limits its reliability, making additional research essential to confirm these findings.
- As space tourism and missions to the Moon and Mars become more common, understanding gender-based differences in space travel could be crucial for selecting future crews.
Although fewer than 700 people have ventured into space, this research opens the door to reevaluating crew selection criteria as humanity prepares for more ambitious space exploration. The unique strengths of female astronauts may play a pivotal role in these future missions.
