Could spaceflight-associated immune system weakening preclude the expansion of human presence beyond Earth’s orbit?

• Published in: Journal of leukocyte biology Vol. 86; no. 5; pp. 1027 - 1038
• Main Authors: Guéguinou, Nathan, Huin‐Schohn, Cécile, Bascove, Matthieu, Bueb, Jean‐Luc, Tschirhart, Eric, Legrand‐Frossi, Christine, Frippiat, Jean‐Pol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Society for Leukocyte Biology 01-11-2009
• Subjects: Animals; Bacterial Infections - epidemiology; Bacterial Infections - immunology; deep‐space mission; Humans; immune depression; Immune System - immunology; Immune System Diseases - epidemiology; Immune System Diseases - etiology; Immunity, Innate; Infection - epidemiology; Infection - immunology; Leukocyte Count; Mars; Mice; microgravity; Models, Animal; Moon; Space Flight - statistics & numerical data; stress; Virulence
• ISSN: 0741-5400; 1938-3673
• DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0309167

Review describes hazards present as humans explore space and focuses on the effects of spaceflight on immunity.
This year, we celebrate the 40th birthday of the first landing of humans on the moon. By 2020, astronauts should return to the lunar surface and establish an outpost there that will provide a technical basis for future manned missions to Mars. This paper summarizes major constraints associated with a trip to Mars, presents immunological hazards associated with this type of mission, and shows that our current understanding of the immunosuppressive effects of spaceflight is limited. Weakening of the immune system associated with spaceflight is therefore an area that should be considered more thoroughly before we undertake prolonged space voyages.