NASA Moon landing: How will NASA protect its astronauts from dangers of space radiation?

NASA’s Artemis programme will send the next man and the first woman to the Moon by the year 2028. But going back to the Moon 50 years after the success of Apollo 11 comes with a whole new set of problems for NASA. This time around, the space agency aims to go back to the Moon to stay on the Moon. Going back to the Moon, however, will mean human astronauts will have to experience the dangers of space radiation for longer periods of time.

On Earth and in low orbit, we are shielded from charged particles zipping through space by our magnetic field and atmosphere. 

The Moon does not have these natural defences, laying it wide open to space radiation and other threats like frequent meteor strikes. 

Ruthan Lewis of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center said: “The danger of radiation is always present, whether you’re in orbit, in transit, or on a planetary surface. 

“From mitigation techniques to protection and enclosures, we’re considering this in every environment astronauts will be in.” 

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How will NASA protect astronauts from space radiation on the Moon? 

Radiation in space is the result of charged particles streaming out from our Sun and into the solar system. 

Scientists at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston monitor the Sun for signs of increased activity such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), solar flares and sunspots. 

CMEs, in particular, are believed to be a driving force behind the intensity of radiation streaming from the star. 

The Sun ejects so-called solar energetic particles, or SEPs, which are mostly protons travelling at incredibly high speeds. 

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If NASA can warns its astronauts of increased solar activity before the radiations strikes, astronauts might have enough time to find suitable shelter. 

NASA Johnson scientist Kerry Lee said: “Our strategy in space is to make use of whatever mass is available. 

“We’re redistributing mass to fill in areas that are thinly shielded and getting crew members closer to the heavily shielded areas.” 

On the Moon, this could mean building temporary shelterers that will withstand the barrage of charged particles. 

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The more mass there is between an astronaut and the radiation, the more likely it is the charged particles will lose their energy before hitting the body. 

Astronauts could use local resources such as lunar regolith or soil to cover their shelters and habitats. 

However, due to the sheer cost of launching heavy rockets and equipment into space, NASA will not be able to send protective gear to the Moon. 

Dr Lee said: “It’s unlikely that we’re going to be able to fly dedicated radiation-shielding mass. Every item you fly will have to be multi-purpose.” 

source: express.co.uk