Outer space changes you, literally. Here's what it does to the human body

Lower gravity. Higher radiation. No ER access. These are just a few of the challenges that humans face in outer space. Emily and Regina talk to a NASA astronaut (and astronaut scientist) about the impact of spaceflight on the human body. Plus, we learn about telomeres (hint: They change in space)!

Check out more of our series Space Camp on the weird and mysterious in space at npr.org/spacecamp.

Interested in more space science? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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Today's episode was produced by Hannah Chinn, edited by Rebecca Ramirez and fact checked by Emily Kwong.

Special thanks to our friends at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Home of Space Camp®.