#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

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

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

#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/

#SpaceStations will be occupied by civilians as #tourists and employees. A “learning period” gives the industry considerable leeway to #experiment with humans . We need health #research now to protect future civilians in #space https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/health-research-is-needed-now-before-sending-civilians-to-space/

#Human subject research, Declaration of #Helsinki : "concern for the interests of the #subject must always prevail over the interests of #science and #society." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_subject_research#Declaration_of_Helsinki

#ESA "Crew Health Performance Subsystem" : Environmental #monitoring (#radiation , chemical hazards) https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Gateway_International_Habitat

#NASA : Apr 15, 2021 #Gateway Instruments to Improve Radiation #Detection for #Artemis Astronauts https://www.nasa.gov/feature/gateway-instruments-to-improve-radiation-detection-for-artemis-astronauts

#NASA : Jul 11, 2022 A New Era of #Science on the #LunarGateway : #SpaceWeather #instruments will advance scientists’ #knowledge to help them #understand #risks https://www.nasa.gov/feature/a-new-era-of-science-on-the-lunar-gateway

#HumanSpaceflightHealth #RadiationProtection

Pictures (combined) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black-mouse-in-gloved-hands.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Astronaut-EVA_edit3.png

#LunarGateway : no #radiation shelter planned.

#ESA : Radiation poses a major #health #risk to people in #space. Astronauts on the #ISS receive doses roughly 120 times higher than on Earth. Away from Earth’s protective magnetic field, #astronauts receive roughly 250 times more radiation than a person on #Earth " https://blogs.esa.int/exploration/internal-radiation-payload-approved-for-the-gateway

#NASA : "During a future #Artemis mission, if a solar radiation squall were to occur while #astronauts are beyond #Earth’s magnetic bubble, they might tell the crew to #build a temporary shelter " https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/how-nasa-protects-astronauts-from-space-radiation-at-moon-mars-solar-cosmic-rays

#HumanSpaceflightHealth #RadiationProtection

Picture : https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/03/Gateway_blueprint