What long-term physiological concerns are specifically associated with Europa's low gravity (13% of Earth's)?
Answer
Constant concern regarding human bone density and muscle mass degradation
Since Europa possesses a surface gravity of only about 13% of Earth's (and slightly less than the Moon's), residents face constant physiological challenges related to reduced gravitational loading. This environment inherently threatens long-term human health, specifically causing deterioration in bone density and loss of muscle mass, issues already understood from lunar missions but persisting in this new context, further compounded by the lack of sunlight for Vitamin D synthesis.
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