Shenzhou-18 Astronauts Return Home with Changed Appearances: What Impact Does Space Life Have on the Human Body?

Shenzhou-18 Astronauts Return Home with Changed Appearances: What Impact Does Space Life Have on the Human Body?The Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft successfully returned to Earth in the early morning of November 4, 2024, bringing three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, back to Earth after a six-month-long space journey. However, CCTV News reported that the three astronauts' appearances had drastically changed after returning to Earth

Shenzhou-18 Astronauts Return Home with Changed Appearances: What Impact Does Space Life Have on the Human Body?

The Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft successfully returned to Earth in the early morning of November 4, 2024, bringing three astronauts, Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu, back to Earth after a six-month-long space journey. However, CCTV News reported that the three astronauts' appearances had drastically changed after returning to Earth. Their faces were visibly swollen, similar to the situation observed with the Shenzhou-14 astronauts upon their return, raising public concern. What is the reason behind this phenomenon?

The swelling of astronauts' faces is primarily attributed to the significant differences between the space environment and the Earth environment, particularly the impact of microgravity. On Earth, gravity pulls blood primarily towards the lower limbs. In space, however, humans lose this downward pull. When astronauts pierce the Earth's atmosphere and enter space, gravity disappears, and blood is no longer drawn to the lower limbs but instead flows freely throughout the body.

Due to the absence of gravity, astronauts move differently in space compared to Earth. They cannot stand upright and walk normally, often finding themselves in an inverted or floating state. This accelerated blood flow to the head and chest, leading to swelling in the face and upper body.

Furthermore, the microgravity environment affects the distribution of capillary pressure in the human body, causing blood to leak out of the vessels, increasing interstitial fluid, leading to swelling. Simultaneously, the lymphatic system is affected in space, unable to effectively remove excess fluid from the body, further contributing to fluid accumulation and exacerbating swelling.

In the initial stages of spaceflight, astronauts also experience changes in fluid balance, including sodium and water retention. If these substances cannot be eliminated from the body properly, it can also lead to bodily edema.

On the other hand, astronauts have limited physical activity in space, causing gradual muscle atrophy. The tissues, previously supported by muscles, are more susceptible to fluid accumulation, further inducing swelling.

Besides physical changes, astronauts' mental state is also affected. Spending a long time in space, away from Earth and entering a completely new environment, requires a period of adaptation. The cardiovascular system in space also gradually adapts to the microgravity environment, leading to changes in blood and fluid distribution, resulting in physical discomfort for astronauts.

To alleviate these symptoms, astronauts need to take various measures. They wear special clothing, particularly garments designed specifically for the lower body, increasing pressure on the lower body to help redistribute blood and fluids. Simultaneously, astronauts undergo regular exercise to prevent muscle atrophy, maintain cardiovascular health, and adjust their diet and fluid intake.

Through research and analysis by experts, the facial swelling experienced by astronauts in space is primarily attributed to the effects of the microgravity environment, causing blood and fluids to migrate to the upper body. To mitigate this phenomenon, experts are continuously striving and developing various measures, ranging from special clothing and exercise training to dietary adjustments and medication, aiming to assist astronauts in better adapting to space life.

However, space life presents not just physical challenges but also immense psychological pressure. Astronauts' way of life in space differs drastically from Earth, requiring adaptation to a new environment from eating and wearing clothes to daily activities. Astronauts' real-life experiences also reveal another side of space life: even putting on clothes in space becomes a problem either the clothes get smaller, or their feet become smaller. This is not because of a decline in the astronauts' standard of living but due to the influence of microgravity in space, causing changes in the human body.

Upon returning to Earth, astronauts require some time to return to normal life and need the help of medical professionals. The changes in their bodies are subjects of years of research, requiring various treatment methods to fully alleviate the swelling.

More importantly, the long-term impact of space life on human health needs further in-depth study. Research suggests that prolonged life in space may lead to changes in brain structure. Therefore, we cannot ignore the potential threat that the space environment may pose to human health. Only through continued exploration can we better protect the health of astronauts and push the boundaries of human space exploration.

China has made monumental achievements in aerospace, from Dongfanghong-1 to the Shenzhou series of spacecraft, from the Chinese space station to the lunar rover, and the lunar regolith brought back from the moon, all demonstrating significant progress in Chinese science and technology. However, astronauts' life in space remains a crucial concern. Further research is required to determine whether space life causes other harm to astronauts' health. Only by ensuring the well-being of astronauts can we guarantee the sustainable development of China's aerospace industry.

In conclusion, the altered appearance of the Shenzhou-18 astronauts upon their return stems from the impact of the microgravity environment in space on the human body. This reminds us that space exploration is a challenging domain requiring continuous research and exploration to better protect astronaut health and propel the advancement of human space exploration.

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