The International Space Station (|SS) has low microbial diversity, which could lead to astronaut health issues, according to a study published in Cell.

Researchers found that the microbial communities resemble those found in sanitized environments like hospitals rather than natural settings.

Co-senior study author Pieter Dorrestein explains that increasing microbial exposure could improve astronaut health during long-term space travel.

The study suggests incorporating natural elements, like soil, into the ISS to enhance microbial diversity and astronaut well-being.

The study in question:

https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00108-4

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[–] Cocodapuf 3 points 2 days ago

Radiation isn't that big a deal. If you have a large enough structure for a colony, or even large enough for 50 people, then you have plenty of mass for radiation shielding. At that scale it's a non-issue.

Psychological issues from being in cramped ships for so long.

Well, only at first... Families don't want to live in cramped ships, so they won't. They'll live in artificial habitats with grass and open spaces. Eventually they'll be large enough to have rivers and mountains.

But even without all that, just ask anyone who's served on a submarine if it's possible to survive in cramped quarters. It's doable.