Twin studies are awesome. Twin studies in space? Even better. ย And now, thanks to two brothers, such plans are in progress.ย
According to Florida Today, astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly came up with the idea themselves: Scott will head to the International Space Station in 2015 for 12 months in space while his identical twin will remain on Earth, both submitting to regular blood, saliva, and other tests with the hope of illuminating the effects of long-term spaceflight on humans.
The 49-year-old brothers are the only siblings to have both flown in space.
Scott, 49, is a veteran of two space shuttle flights including a six-month stay aboard the ISS.ย Mark is a veteran of four space missions, with a total of 54 days off of Earth. He retired after commanding the final flight of the orbiter Endeavor in May 2011.ย He is also the husband of former US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
NASA has issued a call for proposals for applied research in support of the project, titled “Differential Effects of Homozygous Twin Astronauts Associated with Differences in Exposure to Spaceflight Factors.” The deadline for proposals is September 17. ย ย
Specifically, NASA is looking for proposals to investigate the differences in “genetic, proteomic, metabolomics, and related functions” in the two twin males associated with their exposure to spaceflight conditions.
Karen Cyphers, PhD, is a public policy consultant, researcher, and mother to three daughters. She can be reached at [email protected].
