The Littlest Astronauts
Muse Science Magazine for Kids|January 2018

WHY STUDY BUGS IN US . . . IN SPACE?

Harry LeVine III
The Littlest Astronauts

Just getting into space is an ordeal. It starts with the acceleration and jarring vibration of a rocket launch. Minutes later, astronauts float weightlessly about 250 miles (400 km) above the Earth’s surface in low Earth orbit. Once in space, every minute is scheduled. The constant demands on their attention can stress out astronauts. Their living space is cramped and not at all private. And they are stuck with the same crew for months. Also, the air smells weird. Stress changes body functions and invites illness. Lots of time and money go into selecting and training astronauts, so protecting their health is important to NASA. The last thing anyone wants is for an astronaut to get sick in space.

MICROBES IN SPACE

This story is from the January 2018 edition of Muse Science Magazine for Kids.

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This story is from the January 2018 edition of Muse Science Magazine for Kids.

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