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From Stephanie Trotter, Isle of Wight, UK

Graham Lawton pointed out many of the similarities between the lifestyles of astronauts and older people, and how research into preventing ageing in astronauts could help us all. For example, both microgravity and sitting on the sofa too much cause muscle wasting, and both can be prevented by exercise (30 May, p 18).

However, perhaps astronauts would also benefit from breathing fresh air, feeling the wind in their hair, seeing plants grow, putting their bare hands into the earth, smelling botanicals, hearing birdsong and watching waves breaking on a beach while walking barefoot on the sand. Maybe one day, in very large space stations, all these will be possible.

Meanwhile, let’s make sure our older people, and those who are in care homes or hospitals, are not deprived of these joys.