How Does Space Travel Affect Human Bodies? Insights from the NASA Twins Study

The NASA Twin Study, conducted from 2015 to 2016, was a groundbreaking research project that aimed to investigate the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body by comparing identical twins. The study involved two participants: astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent nearly a year aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and his identical twin brother, Mark Kelly, who remained on Earth as a ground-based control subject.

The study proposed to examine various physiological aspects, including genetics, gene expression, cognitive abilities, immune system function, and overall health, to understand how extended space travel impacts the human body. By using identical twins, researchers could control for genetic factors, allowing them to isolate the effects of spaceflight more effectively.

Throughout Scott Kelly’s year-long mission aboard the ISS from March 2015 to March 2016, NASA closely monitored his physiological changes through measurements, biological samples, and cognitive assessments. Meanwhile, Mark Kelly underwent similar assessments on Earth to serve as a comparative control.

This groundbreaking study brought together ten research teams from across the United States to examine how exposure to the hazards of spaceflight could affect a human being at physiological, molecular, and cognitive levels. The study compared retired astronaut Scott Kelly during his time in space with his identical twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, who remained on Earth.

The results of the Twins Study provided intriguing, unexpected, and reassuring insights into how the human body adapts to the extreme environment of space. While NASA has gained some understanding of the effects of six months aboard the International Space Station, Scott Kelly’s one-year mission serves as a crucial stepping stone for future longer expeditions, such as missions to Mars, which could last three years for a round trip.

Recognized as the first study of its kind to compare the molecular profiles of identical twin astronauts, the Twins Study established a methodology to integrate research from the ten teams. By leveraging identical twins, who share the same genetic makeup, researchers could explore how environmental factors impact health, independent of genetic variations.

The findings from the Twins Study cover various aspects of human physiology, including telomeres, the immunome, gene expression, cognition, biochemical changes, the microbiome, epigenomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and integrative omics. These findings offer valuable insights into the body’s response to the space environment and contribute to a better understanding of physiological processes in space.

The study revealed changes in telomere dynamics, immune responses, gene expression, cognitive performance, biochemical markers, gut flora, epigenetic modifications, metabolic pathways, and protein levels. While many of Scott Kelly’s responses returned to preflight levels after the mission, some changes persisted even after his return to Earth.

The implications of the Twins Study extend beyond space exploration, with potential applications in aging research, disease mitigation, and traumatic brain injury studies. NASA’s Human Research Program continues to utilize the findings from this landmark study to prioritize the health and safety of astronauts on future space missions, including those to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Therefore, the NASA Twins Study provides invaluable insights into the resilience and adaptability of the human body in the challenging environment of space. By leveraging the unique opportunity presented by identical twins, NASA has advanced our understanding of human physiology and health in space, paving the way for future exploration endeavours.