London, UK | September 6, 2025
New research has revealed that going to space may accelerate biological ageing, raising concerns for long-duration human space missions. The study, which tracked changes in human stem cells during four separate space missions, found that exposure to the unique conditions of space—including microgravity and radiation—triggered cellular changes associated with ageing.
According to the researchers, stem cells exposed to spaceflight exhibited signs of stress and altered genetic activity that mirrored biological ageing processes on Earth. These findings suggest that space travel could have long-term health implications for astronauts, potentially affecting tissue regeneration, immunity, and overall longevity.
The study comes at a time when international space agencies and private companies are intensifying plans for long-haul missions to Mars and beyond. Scientists say that understanding how space accelerates ageing at the cellular level will be crucial in developing countermeasures to protect astronauts.
Experts also noted that while short missions may pose minimal risk, extended stays in space could significantly impact human health unless protective interventions are introduced.