NASA astronauts Sunita L Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore have been in space for over a month, despite initially planning an 8-day mission only. Due to issues with the Starliner spacecraft, their stay has been extended indefinitely.
“I have a real good feeling in my heart that this spacecraft will bring us home, no problem.” — Sunita Williams
“Failure is not an option.” — Barry Butch Wilmore
NASA's CIPHER (Complement of Integrated Protocols for Human Exploration Research) study is examining how long-term space missions may affect the human body
Studies say astronauts experience faster loss of bone density and muscle quality in space. Calcium lost from bones ends up in their blood and urine, affecting the skeletal system
NASA acknowledges long-duration space missions can lead to stiffer arteries and increased risk of heart disease, posing significant health challenges for astronauts
Low-gravity conditions shift body fluids toward the head, altering eye and brain structure and function. This affects how astronauts process visual information
CIPHER integrates multiple physiological and psychological measures to assess the overall human response to long-term spaceflight
As part of CIPHER study, astronauts undergo cognitive tests, imaging of the heart, organs, muscles, and blood vessels, periodic blood pressure measurements, and vision tests
Scientists are examining brain activity, impact on organs near the heart, and eye changes before and after missions to understand long-term spaceflight effects
Ongoing experiments aim to provide a comprehensive view of how increasingly longer missions impact the entire human body, helping prepare for future space exploration