According to a recent NY Times article, three days in space were enough to make significant changes in both our physical and mental abilities according to the data collected from a 2021 private Inspiration4 mission. Inspiration4 was launched by Space X and consisted of four crew members. It was unique as they were all civilians. According to the NY Times, The passenger’s three days in space experienced physical and mental changes that included modest declines in cognitive tests, stressed immune systems, and genetic changes within their cells as was reported in the journal Nature and several other scientific publications. The effects were temporary and all the occupant’s bodies returned to normal after reaching home. While this was only studied on people who were away for three days, imagine how people are affected when they are in space for days and months. As we know more, we realize how little we understand about the long-term consequences or benefits of space flight on the human body. In space, we are more likely to be exposed to radiation, the effects of a loss of gravity on our bodies as certain body functions depend on gravity to work properly. As living beings, we are always adapting, and the fact that after three days the participants returned to normal after a few days illustrates it. Future trips that will last longer to different planets with different gravitational fields also create some challenges. How adaptable are we? Scientists want to know. Want to know more? Read the NY Times article by clicking this link.