Aging Don Pettit says that he felt great in orbit.
The problem is that free fall also has a lot of the same effects as aging, so I’m not sure this is a great solution for seniors long term. But if we can figure out how to alleviate the negative effects (which may also be cures for aging down here), it might very well become a great place for senior living.
It was a thesis & theory behind the billionaire financier’s self-financed (with Russian help) life extension project in the book and movie “Contact”.
However, more recent Science seems to indicate otherwise.
Astronauts start out in excellent physical condition, and they work out constantly while in orbit to minimize muscle atrophy.
Someone in poor shape who goes to orbit and doesn’t work out might very likely lose the ability to walk in full gravity. And that’s going to shorten their lifespan, not lengthen it.
Said many times before but Mars might be a good place for old folk
…Just don’t forget to bring your atomic shawl.
I have long advocated for making the first Mars trips be one-way. I just turned 71, and would volunteer in a heartbeat.
It’s just too damned cold. And dust and dirt gets everywhere. If it weren’t for the compressed Mars air we use for dusters, my abode would look like a red dirt pile. And then there are the energy and water restrictions to put up with. The food is bland. Thank goodness I can stream Netflix. Until opposition that is. Musk is promising us shadow satellites that will fix that. He says three years (meaning 10) away. Nonetheless lets see you jump 10 feet in the air at age 78.