April 2020
Protecting against the dangers of space radiation
... as long term effects. Of course, whilst living on Earth we are cocooned and very well protected because 99.9 percent of space radiation is stopped by the atmosphere and magnetic field. But this is not the case on the ISS. Together with...
January 2018
Shielding the human genome
..., vehicle and habitat shielding materials available today are ineffective at stopping some forms of space radiation, especially radiation emanating from deep space sources like supernovas (these being some of the greatest threats to the health of our...
October 2018
Radiation study paves way for safe deep space exploration
... spacecraft departs LEO en route to the Moon, it will carry a payload specifically focused on protecting astronauts from space radiation. NASA’s uncrewed Orion Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) flight around the Moon in 2019 will carry the MARE payload...
April 2020
Evolutionary lessons for an interplanetary future
... on, and the faster evolution can occur. Thanks to NASA’s Twin Study, we now have evidence that exposure to space radiation causes mutations. By comparing Astronaut Scott Kelly’s DNA before and after his one year on the International...
April 2017
Surviving radiation for space colonisation
... developed for people to move and live away from Earth in orbiting colonies or on the Moon or Mars, exposure to space radiation will be a serious hazard. Scientists and engineers will have to find creative ways to deal with this danger...
November 2017
Radiation protection for space colonists and travellers
.... Layers of metal and water or metal and plastic should be able to absorb most of this if it is thick enough. Particulate radiation Space travellers moving out of the shelter of Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field will have to contend with high...
