scholarly journals Materials for Shielding Astronauts from the Hazards of Space Radiations

1998 ◽  
Vol 551 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Wilson ◽  
F. A. Cucinotta ◽  
J. Miller ◽  
J. L. Shinn ◽  
S. A. Thibeault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Solar Energetic Particle ◽  
Heavy Ion ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
High Hydrogen ◽  
Deep Space Exploration ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Human Space Exploration

AbstractOne major obstacle to human space exploration is the possible limitations imposed by the adverse effects of long-term exposure to the space environment. Even before human spaceflight began, the potentially brief exposure of astronauts to the very intense random solar energetic particle (SEP) events was of great concern. A new challenge appears in deep space exploration from exposure to the low-intensity heavy-ion flux of the galactic cosmic rays (GCR) since the missions are of long duration and the accumulated exposures can be high. Because cancer induction rates increase behind low to rather large thickness of aluminum shielding according to available biological data on mammalian exposures to GCR like ions, the shield requirements for a Mars mission are prohibitively expensive in terms of mission launch costs. Preliminary studies indicate that materials with high hydrogen content and low atomic number constituents are most efficient in protecting the astronauts. This occurs for two reasons: the hydrogen is efficient in breaking up the heavy GCR ions into smaller less damaging fragments and the light constituents produce few secondary radiations (especially few biologically damaging neutrons). An overview of the materials related issues and their impact on human space exploration will be given.

scholarly journals Use of Photobioreactors in Regenerative Life Support Systems for Human Space Exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Fahrion ◽  
Felice Mastroleo ◽  
Claude-Gilles Dussap ◽  
Natalie Leys
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
Microgravity Conditions ◽  
Human Space Exploration

There are still many challenges to overcome for human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) (e.g., to the Moon) and for long-term missions (e.g., to Mars). One of the biggest problems is the reliable air, water and food supply for the crew. Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) aim to overcome these challenges using bioreactors for waste treatment, air and water revitalization as well as food production. In this review we focus on the microbial photosynthetic bioprocess and photobioreactors in space, which allow removal of toxic carbon dioxide (CO2) and production of oxygen (O2) and edible biomass. This paper gives an overview of the conducted space experiments in LEO with photobioreactors and the precursor work (on ground and in space) for BLSS projects over the last 30 years. We discuss the different hardware approaches as well as the organisms tested for these bioreactors. Even though a lot of experiments showed successful biological air revitalization on ground, the transfer to the space environment is far from trivial. For example, gas-liquid transfer phenomena are different under microgravity conditions which inevitably can affect the cultivation process and the oxygen production. In this review, we also highlight the missing expertise in this research field to pave the way for future space photobioreactor development and we point to future experiments needed to master the challenge of a fully functional BLSS.

scholarly journals Pharmaceutical Solutions for Deep Space Travel and Colonization: Background, Challenges, and Possibilities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Jabara
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Space Travel ◽  
Deep Space ◽  
Deep Space Exploration ◽  
Space Programs ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health

Manned missions to Mars and other deep space exploration targets are expected to take place in the next 20 years. These missions will involve prolonged crew exposure to the unique space environment, increasing the risk that astronauts will experience additional physical and psychological health conditions beyond those that would be expected through normal aging on Earth. Thus, there is an acute need to develop therapeutic solutions that can withstand the harsh space environment, while maintaining astronaut health and maximizing crew capabilities to foster successful exploration-class missions. This review covers the nuanced and interdisciplinary challenge that is providing safe and effective pharmaceuticals for future deep space missions. First, the limitations of current pharmaceutical solutions are discussed; the impacts of the space environment on human health and chemical compound stability are covered, along with an evaluation of astronaut medication use on similar missions. Second, potential pharmaceutical solutions and concepts are presented for consideration. Future research should prioritize these and other potential innovations to ensure that our space programs are well equipped to maximize crew safety as astronauts explore deep space objectives.

scholarly journals Off-world mental health: considerations for the design of wellbeing supportive technologies for deep space exploration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Smith ◽  
Dorian Peters ◽  
Caroline Jay ◽  
Gro Mjeldheim Sandal ◽  
Emma Barrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Health ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Deep Space ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Deep Space Exploration ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Determining Factors ◽  
Research Programmes

During future long duration space exploration missions, humans will be exposed to combinations of extreme physical, psychological and interpersonal demands. These demands create risks for safety, performance, health, and wellbeing of both individuals and crew. The communication latency in deep space means that explorers will increasingly have to operate independently and take responsibility for their own self-care and self-management. At present, several research programmes are focused on developing and testing digital technologies and countermeasures that support the effective functioning of deep space crews. Although promising, these initiatives have been stimulated mostly by technological opportunity rather than cogent theory. In this perspective, we argue that digital technologies developed for spaceflight should be informed by wellbeing supportive design principles and be cognisant of broader conversations around the development and use of digital health applications, especially pertaining to issues of autonomy, privacy and trust. These issues are important for designing potentially mission critical health technologies and may be determining factors in the safe and successful completion of future off-world endeavours.

scholarly journals Amifostine (WR-2721) Mitigates Cognitive Injury Induced by Heavy Ion Radiation in Male Mice and Alters Behavior and Brain Connectivity

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydney Weber Boutros ◽  
Benjamin Zimmerman ◽  
Sydney C. Nagy ◽  
Joanne S. Lee ◽  
Ruby Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Object Recognition ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Heavy Ion ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Novel Object Recognition ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Novel Object ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Heavy Ion Radiation

The deep space environment contains many risks to astronauts during space missions, such as galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) comprised of naturally occurring heavy ions. Heavy ion radiation is increasingly being used in cancer therapy, including novel regimens involving carbon therapy. Previous investigations involving simulated space radiation have indicated a host of detrimental cognitive and behavioral effects. Therefore, there is an increasing need to counteract these deleterious effects of heavy ion radiation. Here, we assessed the ability of amifostine to mitigate cognitive injury induced by simulated GCRs in C57Bl/6J male and female mice. Six-month-old mice received an intraperitoneal injection of saline, 107 mg/kg, or 214 mg/kg of amifostine 1 h prior to exposure to a simplified five-ion radiation (protons, 28Si, 4He, 16O, and 56Fe) at 500 mGy or sham radiation. Mice were behaviorally tested 2–3 months later. Male mice that received saline and radiation exposure failed to show novel object recognition, which was reversed by both doses of amifostine. Conversely, female mice that received saline and radiation exposure displayed intact object recognition, but those that received amifostine prior to radiation did not. Amifostine and radiation also had distinct effects on males and females in the open field, with amifostine affecting distance moved over time in both sexes, and radiation affecting time spent in the center in females only. Whole-brain analysis of cFos immunoreactivity in male mice indicated that amifostine and radiation altered regional connectivity in areas involved in novel object recognition. These data support that amifostine has potential as a countermeasure against cognitive injury following proton and heavy ion irradiation in males.

scholarly journals The contributions of occupational science to the readiness of long duration deep space exploration

Work ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-43
Author(s):  
Janis Davis ◽  
Macy Burr ◽  
Maria Absi ◽  
Rochelle Telles ◽  
Howard Koh
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Deep Space ◽  
Occupational Science ◽  
Deep Space Exploration ◽  
Long Duration

scholarly journals Heavy ion carcinogenesis and human space exploration

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 465-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Durante ◽  
Francis A. Cucinotta
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Heavy Ion ◽  
Human Space Exploration

scholarly journals Human Space Exploration: The Next Fifty Years

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
David R Williams ◽  
Matthew Turnock
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Science Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Distance Constant ◽  
Time Distance ◽  
Human Space Exploration

Preparation for the fftieth anniversary of human spacefight in the spring of 2011 provides the space faring nations with an opportunity to refect on past achievements as well as consider the next fifty years of human spacefight. The International Space Station is a unique platform for long duration life science research that will play a critical role in preparing for future human space exploration beyond low earth orbit. Some feel the future path back to the Moon and on to Mars may be delayed with the current commitment of the united States to support the development of human-rated commercial spacecraft. others see this as a unique opportunity to leverage the capability of the private sector in expanding access to  space exploration. This article provides an overview of the past achievements in hu- man spacefight and discusses future missions over the next ffty years and the role  space medicine will play in extending the time-distance constant of human space exploration.

scholarly journals Study on the Reliability of Sn50Pb49Sb1/Cu Solder Joints Subjected to γ-ray Irradiation

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhao Wang ◽  
Songbai Xue ◽  
Zhaoping Lv ◽  
Li Wen ◽  
Siyi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Solder Joints ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Energetic Electron ◽  
Compound Layer ◽  
Intermetallic Compound Layer ◽  
Deep Space Exploration ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Micro Cracks ◽  
Γ Ray ◽  
Main Factor

Cosmic radiation has always been the most obvious barrier to planetary travels, especially in long-duration deep space exploration missions. Therefore, the reliability of satellite materials and the requirements of satellite miniaturization have received considerable attention. In this paper, the effect of γ-ray irradiation on the reliability of Sn50Pb49Sb1/Cu solder joints was investigated. It was found that the influence of γ-ray irradiation on the thickness and morphology of the intermetallic compound layer in Sn50Pb49Sb1/Cu was not obvious. However, the formation and growth of micro-voids and micro-cracks was observed in Pb-based solid solutions. Due to the Compton effect, the γ-ray photon could knock the electron out of its orbit, which created the energetic electron. The accumulation of dislocated atoms and lattice vacancies generated by energetic electrons could be the main factor that caused the formation of micro-voids and micro-cracks. The pull force of Sn50Pb49Sb1/Cu solder joints was reduced by 22% after being irradiated at the dose rate of 0.25 Gy(Si)/s for 960 h. Fractographic analysis showed that after irradiation, the fracture type of solder joints was still ductile but the ductility of the solder joints decreased with slightly inconspicuous dimples.

Prospects for the application of artificial intelligence methods in space research tasks

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 17-26
Author(s):  
Pisarenko V. ◽  
◽  
Pisarenko U. ◽  
Gulchak O. ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Space Research ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Deep Space ◽  
Successful Completion ◽  
Deep Space Exploration ◽  
Artificial Intelligence Methods

Modern ideas of security problems are being described which are being associated with the implementation of manned flights into "deep space". The analysis of approaches to the development of criteria for the successful completion of space missions, to assess the risks of exposure to adverse factors of the space environment. The classification of risks to the health and life of astronauts in long space missions is carried out, the rationale for the conclusion about the prospects of the widespread use of robotics with elements of artificial intelligence in the tasks of deep space exploration is given.

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