SPACE AGING

November 13, 1998
		What was accomplished during this space flight? Was John Glenn's mission a publicity stunt or was it scientific? Do you think these experiments on aging were worthwhile? Answering your questions are Dr. Andrew Monjan, a top neurologist at the government-run National Institute of Aging, Ken Reightler, a former astronaut and test pilot, and science writer David Chandler from the Boston Globe.

Nov. 5, 1998: A brief excerpt from a news conference in space by John Glenn. Nov. 5, 1998: Words on John Glenn from poet Robert Pinksy. Oct. 29, 1998: The science of John Glenn's mission. Oct. 28, 1998: John Glenn returns to space aboard the shuttle Discovery. Oct. 28, 1998: Phil Ponce looks at the Glenn flight from an historical perspective. March 6, 1998: NASA scientist Alan Binder discusses the new discovery of water on the moon. Feb. 27, 1998: Is the universe is evolving more rapidly now than it has in the past? Jan. 16, 1998: Details of Senator John Glenn's planned trip back into orbit at age 77. Oct. 15, 1997: NASA begins its seven year mission to explore Saturn. Oct. 2, 1997: Forty years after Sputnik first circled the Earth, historians examine its impact. Sept. 30, 1997: An interview with Mir astronauts. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Science     National Institute on Aging Aging Research Center Yahoo Coverage of John Glenn NASA Homepage

By Daniela Carollo Special to the Online NewsHour John Glenn has returned from a successful voyage into space, thirty-six years after his first voyage. On his first mission, NASA simply wanted to place a man into orbit and examine his reactions to his surroundings. This time, the mission was more complex. Glenn and his crew conducted tests in space with the hopes of contributing new insights on the aging process and human health in general. The National Institute of Aging is working with NASA on the mission. They are studying the aging process in space by examining the loss of muscle and bone density, as well as sleep disorders and balance problems. Glenn's heart rate was measured and compared with other astronauts to ascertain age-related distinctions. The crew members also performed other experiments such as the regulation of protein crystal growth. With this particular experiment, they hope to use larger crystals that can facilitate Cancer and AIDS research. These protein crystals cannot be grown as large on land, and the larger size is vital to disease research. Some critics of the mission say NASA's motives were more publicity driven than scientific. Orbiting Glenn was a way to generate interest in the otherwise apathetic feelings towards NASA and space experiments, they've said. Other critics have said that the trip was not worth the expense and that similar experiments can be done on Earth. Proponants insist that space provides a zero-gravity environment that allows scientists to study diseases in ways that are not possible on Earth. What was the outcome of these experiments? What was accomplished during this mission? Were these experiments on aging relevant to your life? Do you feel Glenn's journey is a publicity stunt or purely scientific? Answering your questions are Dr. Andrew Monjan, a top neurologist at the government-run National Institute of Aging, and science writer David Chandler from the Boston Globe.