Sixty days in bed proves weightless inactivity will do serious harm to Mars-bound astronauts’ health

Volunteers had to stay in bed at all times, even when they showered and toileted. Credit: CNES/GRIMAULT Emmanuel

For nearly 20 years, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been running variations of the same tedious experiment.

They recruit 20 young people to lie in bed for 60 days. Each participant is reportedly paid US$19,000 (AUD$27,814).