A Year on the International Space Station: Implementing a Long-Duration Biomedical Research Mission.

The year-long mission of American astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko included the most complex biomedical experiments ever conducted on the International Space Station-and arguably in human spaceflight-to establish insight into human health risks of interplanetary exploration. Focusing on risk mitigation, NASA conducted investigations that addressed spaceflight health hazards to varying degrees. This pilot mission was initiated to gain further knowledge and monitor the physiological, psychological, and medical effects of long-duration exposure to spaceflight.

Bone metabolism and renal stone risk during International Space Station missions.

Bone loss and renal stone risk are longstanding concerns for astronauts. Bone resorption brought on by spaceflight elevates urinary calcium and the risk of renal stone formation. Loss of bone calcium leads to concerns about fracture risk and increased long-term risk of osteoporosis.

Effect of potassium citrate therapy on the risk of renal stone formation during spaceflight.

Purpose: Exposure to microgravity affects human physiology and results in changes in urinary chemical composition during and after spaceflight, favoring an increased risk of renal stones. We assessed the efficacy of potassium citrate to decrease the stone risk during and after spaceflight.

Materials And Methods: The study was done in 30 long duration spaceflight crew members to the space stations Mir and International Space Station.

Renal stone formation among astronauts.

Introduction: With the continued construction of the International Space Station, humans are living longer in the microgravity environment of space. However, many questions still exist as to the physiological effects of spaceflight on the human body. Bone loss, cardiovascular changes, and muscle atrophy are well-documented health risks to humans during spaceflight.