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Polyakov was 52 years old when he did his 438 day stay, and astronauts always take a couple of days to readjust to gravity. The overall effects of well over a y

Polyakov was 52 years old when he did his 438 day stay, and astronauts always take a couple of days to readjust to gravity. The overall effects of well over a year in space seem pretty comparable to a few months in space. It's just not a big deal. Those Boeing astronauts (both around their 60s) have been stuck on the ISS for going on 9 months now, and NASA's basically like ¯\(ツ)/¯. Back on Mars they'll be able to quickly regain their motor skills coordination, as well as strength/bone density. So it will be effectively equivalent to Earth in this regard - actually it will be even better than Earth because the reduced gravity will probably send the overall adjustment time down from a couple of days to a couple of hours, especially with a normal duration transit.

Retric 2y ago
Yep 52, as I said still young. John Glenn flew a useful mission at 77 that’s old. Strength will often peak around 35 barring significant injury. Show me a 52 year old who’s happy to make a few steps and I’ll show you someone with significant impairment. > stuck on the ISS for going on 9 months now Stick right next to earth and all the medical care they would want on landing. That’s the difference they don’t need to be functional on earth. > regain motor skills and coordinate Meaning they’re nearly helpless for a significant period on landing. That’s a massive safety concern and limitation on mission profile. > as well as strength/bone density There’s serious concern around retaining let along regaining bone density on Mars. 38% g isn’t a well studied environment here but it’s a long way from earth and likely to result in significant bone loss up to a point. Meaning their trip back is now significantly more risky.
- somenameforme 2y ago
  Never double down on stupid, just don't. At some point it might not just become a show.

Retric 2y ago

Yep 52, as I said still young. John Glenn flew a useful mission at 77 that’s old. Strength will often peak around 35 barring significant injury. Show me a 52 year old who’s happy to make a few steps and I’ll show you someone with significant impairment. > stuck on the ISS for going on 9 months now Stick right next to earth and all the medical care they would want on landing. That’s the difference they don’t need to be functional on earth. > regain motor skills and coordinate Meaning they’re nearly helpless for a significant period on landing. That’s a massive safety concern and limitation on mission profile. > as well as strength/bone density There’s serious concern around retaining let along regaining bone density on Mars. 38% g isn’t a well studied environment here but it’s a long way from earth and likely to result in significant bone loss up to a point. Meaning their trip back is now significantly more risky.

somenameforme 2y ago
Never double down on stupid, just don't. At some point it might not just become a show.