Space Travel to Mars Could Damage Astronauts’ Kidneys, Experts Warn

LONDON: Though the absence of water and oxygen on Mars is known to deter human life, the internal effects on human body might be even more critical. A study by kidney specialists at University College London, recently published in Nature, reveals that long-term space travel can permanently harm astronauts’ kidneys. The research also indicates that space radiation may disable proteins responsible for calcium processing and change kidney structures, leading to debilitated bones and increased risk of kidney stones. Astronauts returning from Mars may even require dialysis.