With astronauts Sonny Williams and Butch Wilmore stuck on the International Space Station for three months, having been scheduled to return home just eight days after arriving at the space station last June, they have already been exposed to about 40 millisieverts (mSv) to 80 mSv of radiation, roughly equivalent to 120 to 240 chest X-rays.
They won’t return to Earth until February 2025 at the earliest, and will have spent at least eight months in space and risked radiation exposure equivalent to roughly 310 to 630 chest X-rays.
Studies have shown that radiation doses at this level increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and central nervous system damage in the long term, according to NASA.
Cells try to repair this damage, and sometimes they succeed. But when DNA is repaired incorrectly, it can lead to genetic mutations that can lead to cancer over time.
Radiation can also alter the cardiovascular system by damaging the heart, hardening and narrowing the arteries, and killing cells in the linings of blood vessels. This damage can eventually lead to cardiovascular disease.
Radiation also affects the brain, where it can impair neurogenesis, the process of generating new brain cells. This can lead to cognitive impairment and memory loss.
“Space is a truly inhospitable place to live,” space plasma physicist Martin Archer wrote in an article for The Conversation. “There’s no air to breathe, microgravity weakens your bones and muscles and exposes you to increasing doses of radiation in the form of high-energy charged particles. This can damage cells in the body by breaking apart the atoms and molecules they’re made of.”
NASA reports that astronauts who spend six months on the International Space Station are exposed to radiation ranging from 80 millisieverts to 160 millisieverts.
Millisieverts (mSv) are units of measurement for the amount of radiation absorbed by the human body, with one millisievert of space radiation roughly equivalent to receiving three chest X-rays.
The International Space Station has shields to reduce the amount of space radiation that astronauts are exposed to, but crews still endure about 365 times more radiation than we do here on Earth, according to Archer’s calculations.
Most of the health risks associated with exposure to space radiation occur over the long term. Astronauts may be at risk for acute radiation syndrome (ARS), which occurs when a person receives a high dose of radiation over a short period of time.
In severe cases, this can be fatal, but no astronaut has ever died from this condition.
Scientists have warned of an increased risk to astronauts from solar flares, intense explosions of high-energy radiation from the surface of the sun, as our star approaches maximum solar activity.
Source: Daily Mail
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2024-09-06 13:56:11
The Hidden Dangers of Space Radiation: Astronauts’ Exposure in Space
As astronauts Sonny Williams and Butch Wilmore continue their extended stay on the International Space Station, they are unwittingly exposing themselves to a sinister force that threatens their long-term health: space radiation. Scheduled to return home in February 2025, they will have spent at least eight months in space, accumulating a radiation dose equivalent to roughly 310 to 630 chest X-rays. This toxic environment poses significant risks to their well-being, and NASA is keenly aware of the potential consequences.
Radiation Exposure: A Recipe for Health Risks
Radiation doses at this level have been shown to increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and central nervous system damage in the long term. When cells are damaged by radiation, they attempt to repair themselves, but sometimes this repair process goes awry, leading to genetic mutations that can eventually cause cancer. Moreover, radiation can alter the cardiovascular system by damaging the heart, hardening and narrowing arteries, and killing cells in blood vessel linings, ultimately leading to cardiovascular disease.
Cognitive Impairment and Memory Loss
Radiation also affects the brain, where it can impair neurogenesis – the process of generating new brain cells. This can result in cognitive impairment and memory loss. As space plasma physicist Martin Archer aptly puts it, “Space is a truly inhospitable place to live… there’s no air to breathe, microgravity weakens your bones and muscles, and exposes you to increasing doses of radiation in the form of high-energy charged particles.” Archer’s words serve as a sobering reminder of the unforgiving environment astronauts face.
Measuring Radiation Exposure
NASA reports that astronauts who spend six months on the International Space Station are exposed to radiation ranging from 80 millisieverts (mSv) to 160 mSv. Millisieverts are units of measurement for the amount of radiation absorbed by the human body, with one millisievert of space radiation roughly equivalent to receiving three chest X-rays. To put this into perspective, the International Space Station has shields to reduce radiation exposure, but crews still endure about 365 times more radiation than we do here on Earth.
Shields and Protections
While the International Space Station’s shields help mitigate some of the radiation, they are not foolproof. Astronauts still face significant health risks, and the consequences of prolonged radiation exposure are far-reaching. As we continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, it is crucial that we develop more effective shields and protections to safeguard our astronauts.
The Future of Space Travel
As we venture deeper into space, the importance of mitigating radiation exposure cannot be overstated. Long-duration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond will necessitate innovative solutions to this pressing issue. NASA and private space companies must prioritize research and development of advanced shielding technologies to ensure the health and safety of our astronauts.
Conclusion
The tale of Sonny Williams and Butch Wilmore serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of space radiation. As we embark on a new era of space exploration, we must acknowledge the risks and take decisive action to protect our astronauts. By developing and implementing effective shielding technologies, we can ensure that the next generation of space travelers returns home safely, without the burden of long-term health consequences.
Keywords: space radiation, astronauts, International Space Station, NASA, millisieverts, cancer, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system damage, cognitive impairment, memory loss, shielding technologies, space exploration.
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