First and Foremost NASA Nutritionist Speaks on MU Campus Scott Smith, Ph.D. NASA Research Nutritionist, Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas, was the speaker for the Food for the 21st Century Nutritional Sciences Research Seminar Series. His visit was hosted by MU's Dr. Dale Brigham.
Astronauts complete food frequency questionnaires to determine nutrient intake.
One of the most challenging aspects of nutritional needs in space is bone loss. In fact, bone loss is the single greatest nutrition challenge in getting men to Mars. The mission to Mars is expected to last between three to five years. The biggest environmental challenge in going to Mars is the radiation exposure. Bone resorption is significantly elevated during spaceflight, but returns to normal post-flight.