Body’s defence in space
ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen is taking part in an experiment to understand how the body’s immune system handles the new environment.
Insight into the immune system
The human body’s remarkable ability to adapt to new environments has always intrigued scientists. The Immunity Assay experiments focuses on understanding how the astronauts’ immune system responds to prolonged spaceflight.
Researchers took samples of Andreas’s blood and saliva before his flight in August 2023. He will take more samples during his Huginn mission on the International Space Station and upon his return to Earth.
By analysing these samples before, during and after his mission, scientists want to understand how the body's defence mechanisms evolve over time in response to the unique challenges of space travel. Such insights could pave the way for more effective strategies in managing the physiological changes that occur during long duration missions.
Previous experiments show that most astronauts’ immune system comes back rapidly after adapting to being in space. However, long duration missions can still cause changes in the immune system.
The body’s shield against infections
The immune system is the body’s defence against infections and germs that makes us sick. Usually, it runs in the background of daily life, but it is affected by many factors, including external ones like stress and diet.
Stress is a common response when the body finds itself in unfamiliar environments. Prolonged exposure to stress can affect the body in numerous ways, including disrupting sleep patterns. Over time, this chronic stress can weaken the body's defensive mechanisms, making it more susceptible to illness.
One of the major tools for the immune system are white blood cells, also called leukocytes, which help to fight off infections and sickness. They find and defeat harmful germs and help the body stay healthy. Understanding these dynamics not only benefits astronauts in space but can also enhance our knowledge of the impact of stress on human health here on Earth.
Follow Andreas’s mission on the Huginn mission page and his social media.