What’s the story?
NASA Preparing for the Artemis II mission. This includes: international space Station (ISS)primarily due to exposure to intense radiation beyond low Earth orbit. Earth’s magnetic field protects us from most harmful solar particles. But when the Artemis II crew heads to the moon, they’ll be leaving behind this protective bubble. Deep space is full of cosmic rays that can damage human cells and DNA, increasing the risk of cancer and other health problems.
Crossing the Van Allen belt
To reach the monthThe Artemis II crew must cross the Van Allen belts, two giant rings of trapped radiation held by Earth’s magnetic field. Unlike the Apollo astronauts, who quickly passed through these zones, Artemis II will spend much of its time in a high-Earth orbit test system before heading for its lunar flyby. This means they traverse the belt multiple times and are exposed to radiation levels 50 to 100 times higher than what we experience on Earth.
How will NASA protect its crew?
To protect the crew from radiation, NASA engineers designed the Orion capsule with advanced shielding. The idea is to absorb as much radiation as possible. In the event of a solar storm, the crew could use the spacecraft’s center as an improvised wind shelter, stacking supplies and equipment to create a thicker barrier against incoming particles.
Using the AstroRad vest
In addition to the Orion capsule’s advanced shielding, astronauts can also wear innovative technology like the AstroRad vest. It is designed to protect vital organs from radiation exposure. NASA experts expect the total radiation dose from the 10-day mission to be within safe limits for the four professional astronauts.