Spaceflight may harm the reproductive system of astronauts' kids and grandkids, early mouse study suggests
A study published in PNAS suggests that mice exposed to space travel produce offspring with reduced reproductive capacity and altered physiological markers. Researchers caution that while mice are biological models, the implications for human astronauts remain uncertain.
Why it matters
As space exploration expands, understanding the long-term biological and hereditary impacts of space travel on human health is critical for future missions.
The offspring of mice that spend time on the International Space Station are more vulnerable to external stressors, a new study finds. More work is needed to understand potential health impacts on human astronauts' families.
By Helena Kudiabor Edited by Nicoletta Lanese , Brandon Specktor , Laura Mondrag n Published 21 September 2026 In News When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works .
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