Space Station Experiment Seeks to Slow Aging Process Using Nanoparticles

European Space Agency (ESA) scientists will conduct an experiment on the International Space Station to explore the potential for man-made nanoparticles to slow human aging by countering free radicals, reports the New York Post . Free radicals are renegade molecules containing unpaired electrons that can damage other molecules by poaching electrons, a process known as oxidative stress. The ESA experiment will assess how well the nanoparticles can ingest these atoms, reducing their cumulative damage. The project aims to ensure the health of astronauts during prolonged space flights to destinations such as Mars or beyond. The experiment is being conducted in a large "incubator" filled with samples that will be frozen for a return to Earth later on. Its results could inform future plans for space missions, and possibly offer insights on retarding the aging process in general.