The human body in the danger zone: what Artemis II did to its astronauts
The Artemis II mission was historic. It broke the distance record for a manned flight and returned us to lunar orbit after more than 50 years. But behind the technological achievement there is a less told story: that of four human bodies subjected to a hostile environment for which they were not designed.
“Artemis II is a historic mission, but it is undoubtedly also a physiological challenge,” says Carol Perelman, Mexican Pharmaceutical Chemistry Biologist and scientific communicator, in an interview with EL UNIVERSAL.
A terrestrial organism in deep space
Our body is perfectly adapted to the Earth. Gravity, atmosphere, magnetic protection. Coming out of that bubble is a brutal shock. “These four astronauts came out of the magnetosphere… they are receiving cosmic radiation all the time,” explains Perelman.
That radiation is the silent enemy. Unlike the crew of the Space Station, those of Artemis II ventured beyond our planet’s natural protective shield.
“This radiation can be very harmful… it can have an acute impact, but also in the long term,” warns the scientist.
The data is worrying. Previous studies show that the mortality rate from cardiovascular disease is four to five times higher in astronauts who traveled to the Moon. Compared to the 9% of those who did not travel into space or the 11% of those who stayed in low orbits, it is an abysmal difference.
Microgravity plays its own game. Body fluids are redistributed. The face swells, intracranial pressure increases, and there may be changes in vision. None of this is trivial.
Experiments that seek answers (and cures)
The Orion capsule was also a floating laboratory. Key experiments were on board:
- AVATAR: Bone marrow samples to study changes due to radiation and microgravity.
- Immune Biomarkers: How the immune system reacts (special attention to viruses such as herpes).
- ARCHeR: Evaluation of the physical and mental performance of the crew.
“What we understand better about immunosuppression and aging of cells due to radiation… will also help us understand what happens to our body here on Earth,” says Perelman.
Terrestrial applications are promising: personalized medicine, rapid virus diagnosis, osteoporosis treatments and better understanding of the cardiovascular system.
Stress: that invisible companion
Imagine living for weeks in a space the size of a van with three people. No escape. “Literally having nowhere to go,” says Perelman.
Constant stress increases cortisol, can reactivate latent viruses and generate immunosuppression. That is why training is not only physical, but also mental and emotional. Psychological health is critical in long-duration missions.
The final lesson: turn to see the Earth
Amid the current geopolitical chaos, Artemis II offers a humble perspective. Photographs of Earth from deep space are overwhelmingly beautiful.
Perelman takes up the words of Christina Koch, astronaut on the mission: “we can do explorations, we can reach the Moon, but in the end, ‘we choose Earth'”.
“We are changing these conditions with climate change… perhaps it is a time for reflection,” Perelman concludes. “Let’s take care of our planet.”.
In the end, the greatest discovery might not be on the Moon, but in realizing the fragile and perfect balance we have here.
