Quote Originally Posted by udsuna
But, aside from a vastly increased chance of cancer, sterility, or a slow death over a few weeks, you're fully capable of wandering about in space.
I hear that space agencies prefer older people as candidates for manned missions because they are less likely to be effected long-term by the radiation effects of space (older men and women are not so concerned about having children etc..). Perhaps this is just a lucky benefit though, as qualified people generally meet those qualifications after many years in related fields.