Diseases in Outer Space
How space compromises the immune system
Having a cold is no fun. Your throat feels scratchy, your nose gets runny, and you seem to be sneezing every few minutes.
In space, having a cold is even worse!
In 1968, NASA’s Apollo 7 spacecraft blasted off with a three-person crew aboard. Just 15 hours into the mission, astronaut Wally Schirra caught a cold. The other two members of the crew were quickly infected.
Along with typical cold symptoms, the “space-colds” made it exceptionally difficult for the astronauts to relieve their discomfort. In outer space, the experience of weightlessness means that nothing is pulling down on your body — or your snot! As the mucus collects inside your nose, it gets stuck and starts to feel stuffy.
The astronauts tried using tissues to blow their noses, but that didn’t help either.
When you have a cold, whether on Earth or in space, too much mucus buildup causes ear pain. That’s because of the eustachian tube, a secret tunnel connecting your ear to your nose. When the tube fills up with mucus, it puts pressure on your eardrums, causing them to feel painful and blocked.
The astronauts found that blowing their noses made the ear pain even worse. Only with the help of some aspirin was the crew able…
