The International Space Station, where Scott Kelly of Nasa and Michael Komienko of Roscosmos will spend a year orbiting Earth. Photograph: Nasa\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Like characters in a sci-fi movie, two astronauts will soon learn what it is like to spend a year orbiting Earth on board the International Space Station. <\/p>\n
An American and a Russian will undertake the mission together to test the physiological and psychological effects of long-term space flight. <\/p>\n
The aim is to see how the human body will bear up on future voyages to a distant asteroid or Mars, which might last several months. <\/p>\n
Unlike the residents of many fictional space stations, the two volunteers will not enjoy the benefits of artificial gravity. <\/p>\n
Extended periods spent in microgravity are known to cause increased bone and muscle loss, reduced heart and artery function and impaired sensory motor performance. <\/p>\n
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft will carry Scott Kelly of Nasa and Michael Komienko, from the Russian space agency Roscosmos, to the ISS in March. <\/p>\n
Dr Michael Barratt, from Nasas Human Research Programme at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, said: This will build on the rich experience of long-duration flights, including four flights of a year or more conducted by our Russian colleagues on the Mir station. <\/p>\n
We have progressed considerably in our understanding of the human physiology in space and in countermeasures to preserve bone, muscle and fitness since then. The space station programme provides us a robust framework for international collaboration that enables us to realise tremendous returns from such an experience. <\/p>\n
John Charles, chief of the programmes International Science Office, said data from six-month spells in space did not suggest that the human body adjusts to a new adapted state over that period of time. <\/p>\n
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Two astronauts to spend a year in space<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The International Space Station, where Scott Kelly of Nasa and Michael Komienko of Roscosmos will spend a year orbiting Earth. Photograph: Nasa\/Getty Images Like characters in a sci-fi movie, two astronauts will soon learn what it is like to spend a year orbiting Earth on board the International Space Station Continue reading