Spaceflight pushes the human body to its limits, exposing astronauts to microgravity, high levels of radiation, and extended periods of isolation. These stressors affect their health in various ways, many of which scientists are still working to fully understand. But if we are ever to boldly go where no human has gone before, we need to know all the risks before we take the leap.

And now new research published Thursday, September 4 in the journal Cell Stem Cell offers clues to another facet of health in space. Researchers discovered that spaceflight can accelerate the molecular aging of blood stem cells, specifically human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). These cells play a critical role in blood and immune system health, serving as the foundation for all the body’s diff

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