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Canadian Space Agency announces human health experiment for the International Space Station

David Saint-Jacques (left) and Jeremy Hansen experience freefall during a parabolic flight on a NASA C-9 aircraft jet as part of their basic training in 2010. Canadian Space Agency

Astronauts headed to the International Space Station in 2018 won’t only be conducting their own experiments — they’ll be part of a bigger experiment themselves.

The Canadian Space Agency and the University of Calgary are collaborating on a new experiment to study how long-duration missions impact astronauts’ brains.

Known as wayfinding, the study will examine how reduced gravitational forces affect the astronauts’ ability to find their way around.

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Studies have already shown that spending extended time in space can reduce bone density.

Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques will begin his six month mission in late 2018.

He says he doesn’t mind being a guinea pig if it can help treat people suffering from neurological conditions.

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WATCH: On Wednesday, October 19, NASA and Russia’s Roscosmos launched a new crew to begin a 5-month mission aboard the International Space Station

Click to play video: 'New crew takes off en route to the International Space Station'
New crew takes off en route to the International Space Station

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