![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6RC2IOWP6YRALN2XOMXEHMZLLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb40e3431b283f97a8b9fa81b6d48a536acd259643641a4e52665a3c27491414&width=400&height=225)
Science conducted on the ISS offers researchers an unparalleled opportunity to test physical processes in the absence of gravity
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SBGEWKG64VHSVOIGF33MAUZ3FU.jpg?smart=true&auth=61fe48bfe67b8f494538f50d49570d16dd3af249b0956d0256bbb9d34a4c11ce&width=400&height=225)
Spending time in space for an extended period of time can lead to stresses and strains on body and mind beyond those faced on Earth. All photos: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3V2RTGXH2BC5REBVV2HU35EGP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=498cc4504aba925f17421ce2dbe31c5c74c6a0937336231e8ad83206a27fa1f4&width=400&height=225)
Astronauts lose muscle mass in space because the lack of gravity makes tasks less physically demanding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JXB5KC56OVF43N3QENGZJWURS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bb273c9a0e7d6ee2d05c42647497c68999a95d65b8bc2b2b9efd78ae381f760&width=400&height=225)
Normal exercise equipment relies on gravity, but on the ISS, the astronauts push against what are, in effect, large springs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IFYGVF5KIJAFDAD3DBSPXTUR6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=a841104295d621167f30689e79d0bb644f3a7fee0c5b62e3378b79f86d01d3e0&width=400&height=225)
Expedition 36 flight engineer Karen Nyberg washes her hair in space in 2013
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TNIYTZOIIRGSFPCR4M6JDAVUN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=736ca0a5f9cd35a2ca11bb214bf14169a06a0c610f545ba3f342f38c7f1f17df&width=400&height=225)
Mark Vande Hei swaps over components on an advanced new toilet installed inside the ISS Tranquility module, believed to be the most expensive toilet ever assembled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZOMPTUYCVARNFMJL2GGRMNNWU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=cf66a7251fa64b92e49fe5a9fd95cf4c0462d11bc0d4a738272da2cf45ddb701&width=400&height=225)
Expedition 50 crew members celebrate Thanksgiving in space in November 2016, with rehydrated food
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XXHMGQ5MVFEAHPROIASXYSMW2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb20dc527a797c8a7257749c49542a4744a94cac7113c26df95e224b43bdc260&width=400&height=225)
Nasa astronaut Kjell Lindgren poses for a portrait inside a crew sleeping bag on the ISS
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2EKBL6KHFFEW3GQK6TQ56IQVYM.jpg?smart=true&auth=989b42234e291a977d3091b0de5e8332a5627cb74509d443962461341fe0e117&width=400&height=225)
Expedition 66 crew members gather for a Thanksgiving meal inside the ISS Unity module
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6RC2IOWP6YRALN2XOMXEHMZLLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb40e3431b283f97a8b9fa81b6d48a536acd259643641a4e52665a3c27491414&width=400&height=225)
Science conducted on the ISS offers researchers an unparalleled opportunity to test physical processes in the absence of gravity
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SBGEWKG64VHSVOIGF33MAUZ3FU.jpg?smart=true&auth=61fe48bfe67b8f494538f50d49570d16dd3af249b0956d0256bbb9d34a4c11ce&width=400&height=225)
Spending time in space for an extended period of time can lead to stresses and strains on body and mind beyond those faced on Earth. All photos: Nasa
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3V2RTGXH2BC5REBVV2HU35EGP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=498cc4504aba925f17421ce2dbe31c5c74c6a0937336231e8ad83206a27fa1f4&width=400&height=225)
Astronauts lose muscle mass in space because the lack of gravity makes tasks less physically demanding
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JXB5KC56OVF43N3QENGZJWURS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3bb273c9a0e7d6ee2d05c42647497c68999a95d65b8bc2b2b9efd78ae381f760&width=400&height=225)
Normal exercise equipment relies on gravity, but on the ISS, the astronauts push against what are, in effect, large springs
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IFYGVF5KIJAFDAD3DBSPXTUR6U.jpg?smart=true&auth=a841104295d621167f30689e79d0bb644f3a7fee0c5b62e3378b79f86d01d3e0&width=400&height=225)
Expedition 36 flight engineer Karen Nyberg washes her hair in space in 2013
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TNIYTZOIIRGSFPCR4M6JDAVUN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=736ca0a5f9cd35a2ca11bb214bf14169a06a0c610f545ba3f342f38c7f1f17df&width=400&height=225)
Mark Vande Hei swaps over components on an advanced new toilet installed inside the ISS Tranquility module, believed to be the most expensive toilet ever assembled
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AZOMPTUYCVARNFMJL2GGRMNNWU.jpeg?smart=true&auth=cf66a7251fa64b92e49fe5a9fd95cf4c0462d11bc0d4a738272da2cf45ddb701&width=400&height=225)
Expedition 50 crew members celebrate Thanksgiving in space in November 2016, with rehydrated food
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XXHMGQ5MVFEAHPROIASXYSMW2Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb20dc527a797c8a7257749c49542a4744a94cac7113c26df95e224b43bdc260&width=400&height=225)
Nasa astronaut Kjell Lindgren poses for a portrait inside a crew sleeping bag on the ISS
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2EKBL6KHFFEW3GQK6TQ56IQVYM.jpg?smart=true&auth=989b42234e291a977d3091b0de5e8332a5627cb74509d443962461341fe0e117&width=400&height=225)
Expedition 66 crew members gather for a Thanksgiving meal inside the ISS Unity module
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6RC2IOWP6YRALN2XOMXEHMZLLQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=bb40e3431b283f97a8b9fa81b6d48a536acd259643641a4e52665a3c27491414&width=400&height=225)
Science conducted on the ISS offers researchers an unparalleled opportunity to test physical processes in the absence of gravity
How spending time in space poses challenges for body and mind
From muscle weakening to feeling down, the physical and mental difficulties astronauts face on the International Space Station are many and varied
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
05 March, 2023
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