Experimental Physiology
Tackling aging and chronic disease: How space exploration and the ‘chameleon effect’ of pharmaceuticals can lead the way
Abstract A common misconception surrounding space exploration is that humanity's pursuit of interplanetary travel, such as missions to Mars, is an escape from Earth. In reality, this endeavour offers an invaluable opportunity to address critical biomedical challenges here at home. The extreme conditions of space, including microgravity, cosmic radiation and prolonged isolation, create a natural laboratory for studying human biology under stress, allowing us to explore the boundaries of human resilience. These expos …