What happens to the body in space?

It's 40 years since the first moon landing. Here's more about the startling effects of space travel on a cosmonaut's body.

During lift-off
Space travel isn't for the faint-hearted. Cosmonauts experience a force of between three to five times the force of gravity during lift-off. The space shuttle accelerates within minutes to more then 27 000 km/h.

Most often cosmonauts are strapped into their seats in a supine (upside down) position during lift-off, so that the incredible acceleration of lift-off cannot cause them any harm. They feel heavier and may struggle to lift their arms during this time.

A supine position during lift-off is important. If a cosmonaut had been seated in an upright position, he would have blacked out due to blood pooling in the lower half of the body.

At zero gravity
Once space ships leave the earth's atmosphere and begin to orbit the earth, cosmonauts begin to float. Generally, they are able to walk up walls and ceilings and can pick up heavy objects with their fingertips.

Organs drifting in space

(Health24, updated July 2009)