NASA astronaut Scott Kelly will spend a year in space

Originally published on 28 January, 2015

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly will spend a year living on the International Space Station as part of the agencys Twins Study, which aims to study how long-term space travel affects the human body.

Human muscles and bones are shaped by gravity. Long-term space travel can make weaker, muscles lose mass and can even make a man taller, The Washington Post reported.

Researchers will monitor Scott Kelly in space and his identical twin brother, Mark Kelly, on Earth for an entire year beginning in March to investigate the effects space travel and a zero-gravity environment have on the brothers immune systems, vision and heart health and other biological systems, the report continued.

The study is part of the preparation for an eventual manned-mission to Mars. Kelly will depart for the International Space Station on March 27.