"The point of returning #astronauts 🧑🚀 to the moon 🌙 is to better understand the vehicles and systems it takes to support human life and navigate such a harsh environment" ☢️. #Orion’s heat shield 🔥🛡️ will also be put to the ultimate test https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/31/science/artemis-2-astronauts-moon-mission-overview
#Artemis #LabRats #HumanSpaceflightHealth #RadiationProtection
The risks with #SpaceRadiation ☢️ are assigned the highest priority among all risks associated with #SpaceTravel. Active shielding 🛡️ methods, which use #electromagnetic fields to deflect charged particles, can make #DeepSpace 🌌 travel safer and more feasible. Placing the passive shielding before the active shielding is more effective than placing the identical active shielding before the passive shielding of the same thickness https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214552423000391
#Graphene-based nanocomposites can serve as potential #radiation ☢️ shields against ionizing radiation in the gamma and X-ray ranges, boasting a mass attenuation coefficient exceeding 0.2 cm2/g https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-69628-5
Commonly used materials for protection against ionizing radiation (gamma and X-ray energy range) primarily rely on high-density materials, like lead, steel, or tungsten. However, these materials are heavy and often impractical for various applications, especially where weight is a key parameter, like in avionics or space technology. Here, we study the shielding properties of an alternative light material—a graphene-based composite with a relatively low density ~ 1 g/cm3. We demonstrate that the linear attenuation coefficient is energy of radiation dependent, and it is validated by the XCOM model, showing relatively good agreement. We also show that the mass attenuation coefficient for selected radiation energies is at least comparable with other known materials, exceeding the value of 0.2 cm2/g for higher energies. This study proves the usefulness of a commonly used model for predicting the attenuation of gamma and X-ray radiation for new materials. It shows a new potential candidate for shielding application.
Increasing evidence shows that the lack of gravity and exposure to the sun’s radiation ☢️ in space can accelerate aging in human stem cells and promote their transformation into cancer cells. But understanding this process could also teach us how to treat ⚕️ #cancer and #aging on Earth. https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/future-drug-discovery-may-be-space-uc-san-diegos-new-astrobiotechnology-hub-set-explore-it
📆 1989 Had you been flying around the #Moon 🌙 at that time, you would have absorbed well over 6 Sieverts of radiation ☢️ - a dose that would most likely kill 💀 you within a month or so.
📆 2024 “It wasn’t possible 10 years ago. Using grid-like, porous structures we not only brought the weight down, but we also brought the needed power down from megawatts to 100 watts. Such shields 🛡️ are not #ScienceFiction anymore” https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/03/shields-up-new-ideas-might-make-active-shielding-viable
Traditional shielding strategies aim to reduce #astronaut radiation ☢️ exposure by increasing vehicle mass, but this is ineffective for the extremely penetrating #galactic cosmic rays. #Astronauts will face radiation hazards resulting from solar ☀️ activity that can create solar energetic particles. Active shielding 🛡️ approaches are likely a required component of any realistic solution (#electrostatic shielding) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0969806X22000494
#Radiation ☢️ shielding is a mandatory element in the design of an integrated solution to mitigate the effects of radiation during long #DeepSpace voyages for human exploration. #Kevlar has radiation shielding 🛡️ performances comparable to Polyethylene, reaching a dose rate reduction of 32 ± 2% and a dose equivalent rate reduction of 55 ± 4% (for a shield of 10 g/cm2). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-01707-2
Passive radiation shielding is a mandatory element in the design of an integrated solution to mitigate the effects of radiation during long deep space voyages for human exploration. Understanding and exploiting the characteristics of materials suitable for radiation shielding in space flights is, therefore, of primary importance. We present here the results of the first space-test on Kevlar and Polyethylene radiation shielding capabilities including direct measurements of the background baseline (no shield). Measurements are performed on-board of the International Space Station (Columbus modulus) during the ALTEA-shield ESA sponsored program. For the first time the shielding capability of such materials has been tested in a radiation environment similar to the deep-space one, thanks to the feature of the ALTEA system, which allows to select only high latitude orbital tracts of the International Space Station. Polyethylene is widely used for radiation shielding in space and therefore it is an excellent benchmark material to be used in comparative investigations. In this work we show that Kevlar has radiation shielding performances comparable to the Polyethylene ones, reaching a dose rate reduction of 32 ± 2% and a dose equivalent rate reduction of 55 ± 4% (for a shield of 10 g/cm2).
Despite guidelines and the past 30 years of research, there has been little progress on fully defining or mitigating the space radiation ☢️ risk to human crew. Schwadron et al. project that Galactic Cosmic Ray fluences will be substantially higher 📈 during the next solar cycles leading to increased background #radiation exposure and, subsequently, as much as a 20% decrease in the allowable safe days in space (outside of #LEO) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41526-018-0043-2
Despite years of research, understanding of the space radiation environment and the risk it poses to long-duration astronauts remains limited. There is a disparity between research results and observed empirical effects seen in human astronaut crews, likely due to the numerous factors that limit terrestrial simulation of the complex space environment and extrapolation of human clinical consequences from varied animal models. Given the intended future of human spaceflight, with efforts now to rapidly expand capabilities for human missions to the moon and Mars, there is a pressing need to improve upon the understanding of the space radiation risk, predict likely clinical outcomes of interplanetary radiation exposure, and develop appropriate and effective mitigation strategies for future missions. To achieve this goal, the space radiation and aerospace community must recognize the historical limitations of radiation research and how such limitations could be addressed in future research endeavors. We have sought to highlight the numerous factors that limit understanding of the risk of space radiation for human crews and to identify ways in which these limitations could be addressed for improved understanding and appropriate risk posture regarding future human spaceflight.
#ESA is contributing three key elements to the #Gateway: Lunar #IHab*, #LunarView and #LunarLink. Together, these provide a habitable space for astronauts 👨🚀, refuelling, storage and telecommunication capabilities, and windows to view space 🌌 and the Moon 🌙. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/Gateway
* Habitable volume: 10 m3, Launch mass: 10 tonnes https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Gateway_Lunar_I-Hab
#HumanSpaceflightHealth #RadiationProtection #Artemis #LunarGateway
#NASA #Orion #radiation protection plan 🗒️ "astronauts will position themselves in the central part of the crew module and #create a #shelter using the stowage bags 🛍️ on board. The crew would in some cases need to stay inside for as long as 24 hours ⌛ https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/orion/scientists-and-engineers-evaluate-orion-radiation-protection-plan/
#HumanSpaceflightHealth #RadiationProtection #Artemis #LunarGateway
Spaceflight 🚀
