SPACE AGING

November 13, 1998
		What was accomplished during this space flight? Ken Reightler, a former astronaut, naval aviator, test pilot, and officer, answers your questions.

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 and Health     National Institute on Aging Aging Research Center NASA Homepage

Glenn Stahl of Woodbury, NJ asks : I was wondering what known observational differences makes it easier to detect the aging process in space vs. a gravitational field? Ken Reightler responds: Many of the changes that the human body experiences as it adapts to the space environment are similar to those changes we see in the aging population, although they are much accelerated over what we see on earth. The unique aspect of this flight was the opportunity to see how those changes will affect an individual who is already experiencing the changes of aging at an advanced stage. Ziff of Jackson Beach, FL asks : Senator Glenn is a national hero, and I have no problem with his return. But, really, how much can be learned in 9 days? Ken Reightler responds: Some of the changes that occur to the human body when it goes into space happen very quickly. You can actually feel things changing. Others are more long-term or subtle. Much will be learned about all the crewmembers including John Glenn. The changes that are longer-term will require longer stays in space to fully understand. That is one reason why the International Space Station is so important. It will provide us with the capability to observe and measure these changes and help to develop countermeasures that will allow humans to explore outer space. Robert L. Cox of Clinton, IL asks : How can the cost of a shuttle flight justify sending any individual into space for something as inconsequential as studying aging in space? In fact, there is little value in sending the shuttle into space at all and the cost of this portion of NASA's budget should be eliminated entirely. Ken Reightler responds: Space shuttles provide humans access to space that allow them to conduct a wide range of research and operations. Thanks to this routine access, we are capable of performing iinvestigations in many different scientific disciplines. The return on this investment is tremendous. We have really just scratched the surface of what can be done in the future. The operational capability of the space shuttle means that it will enable us to build new outposts in space such as the International Space Station. This will expand our ability to take advantage of the space environment for the improvement of life here on earth. G. N. Rogers School of Hightstown, NJ asks : John Glenn did a good job. Did any of the tests hurt? Did he see any comets? What did he eat? What were the tests like & were they hard? Did he have trouble sleeping? Ken Reightler responds: John Glenn did a great job as a crewmember on STS-95. Many of the tests he participated in were uncomfortable but none were very painful. Perhaps the worst was having to have his blood drawn. No, there were no comets visible to the crew during this mission. Some of the tests John Glenn participated in involved measuring his sleep patterns and measuring the turnover of protein in the muscles. The tests were complicated and had to be done right to get good results. That is why the crew trained long and hard. John Glenn slept well considering all the equipment he had to wear. Scientists are looking at the data he collected to see what the changes to his sleep pattern were.