Watch the video above: Twins Mark and Scott Kelly talk about their role in NASA’s year-long mission in space.
TORONTO – If humans are going to embark on a journey to other worlds in our solar system, more information on the effects of space — with its dangerous solar and cosmic rays — is needed. And Mark and Scott Kelly are doing their part.
READ MORE: American and Russian astronauts prepare for one-year mission in space
NASA astronaut Scott Kelly is preparing to launch to the International Space Station next month (along with Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Gennady Padalka) where he will stay for a year. Meanwhile, his twin brother and former astronaut Mike Kelly will remain on Earth, living his day-to-day life.
Throughout the year, various samples of blood, saliva and other material will be collected from both subjects. Both will also undergo various psychological and physical tests.
Research is always being done on the effects of living in space. But this will be NASA’s first long-duration mission (the typical stay is six months) and the first opportunity to study its effects. As well, there has never been an opportunity to compare the effects of living in space with someone who is almost genetically identical.
The data is part of NASA’s One Year Mission and Twins Study, part the Human Research Program which studies the effects of spaceflight on humans.
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