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This is an article I wrote for my school newspaper:

In January of 2019 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration released a statement revealing they hope to send a team of astronauts into space for longer than any mission before. There is one problem that will surface as they attempt the claim the title, astronauts in space develop a comprised immune system and are exposed to radiation which increases their chances of cancer.

Richard Simpson, senior author and associate professor of the Nutritional Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Arizona, has published a journal entry on how space effects the immune system. Simpson was first introduced to this topic when he was studying at the University of Houston and received an opportunity to work with NASA. With a background in stress knowledge, Simpson was able to make a niche for himself and answer the questions regarding the concerns with astronauts in space and their impaired immune systems.

“Space travel is a form of stress” Simpson explains, there are two types of stress: good stress and bad stress. Good stress is the type of stress you achieve when you are nervous for an interview and bad stress is long term chronic type of stress you get when you are a caregiver. Astronauts have to get accolated once landing back on earth after being in space for periods of time. The time spent in space takes a toll on the astronaut’s bodies while also they are also being exposed to radiation . The farther away you are from earth your exposure to radiation increases. The natural killer cells in the body weaken from stress and have a harder time fighting radiation which increase the chances of cancer. Researchers are actively looking for solutions to solve these health obstacles.

The researchers on Simpson’s team conducted an experiment which tested if the immune system was affected by taking a blood sample before and after the astronauts completed the mission. They result concluded that the immune system was affected by space travel but didn’t determine when it becomes impaired. Now the question is “what’s causing the impairment and how do we medicate it” Simpson added.

Simpson and his team sent astronauts to space for six months. The researchers took blood samples, before, during, and after the mission. At the mark of the 90^th day the astronauts sent a blood sample down to earth which allowed them to discover the immune system was most impaired due to stress during the middle of the mission.

The team is now shifting their focus to discover ways which will boost immune systems by behavioral and medical solutions . They are now enforcing astronauts to get extremely fit before their missions while practicing healthy eating habits and regular exercise during their mission. Simpson mentioned the astronauts could possibly do yoga to relieve stress. The diet obtained by the astronauts can influence the immune system by adding probiotics, antioxidants, and omega 3- fatty acids.