However, these data are questionable. A mission to Mars is planned in the next 10 years, and gravity problems remain a major threat: otherwise, a person could lose 1% of bone mass on the moon.
Additionally, the study shows that weightlessness and cosmic radiation can cause kidney enlargement and stone formation.
Researchers believe that beyond Earth, radiation of up to 0.66 sievert per year could be harmful. Tests in mice showed that the kidneys were enlarged and functioning worse even six months after irradiation.
But astronauts won’t be weightless for the entire mission; by only a third. Additionally, the gravity on Mars is 0.38 that of Earth, which does not cause much damage to the kidneys.
Radiation data may also be inaccurate, as the mice were irradiated in a matter of minutes rather than over a long period of time as was the case with astronauts.
Therefore, although the study shows possible risks to the kidneys, the real situation may be less critical.
Source: Ferra
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