Research Summary

Exploration-class missions will expose astronauts to greater levels and more varied types of radiation. High radiation levels can lead to many health problems including damage to blood cells, the immune system, skin, eyes, the gastrointestinal system, lungs, and central nervous system. Exposure also increases cancer risk. On lunar missions, radiation exposure from solar particle events could impair an astronaut’s performance and result in mission failure. The Radiation Effects Team is focused on understanding and mitigating the risks related to exposure to various types of space radiation, with an emphasis on acute effects. Projects are developing countermeasures to mitigate the effects of radiation exposures and designing devices to monitor radiation during extravehicular activities on the lunar surface.

NSBRI Space Radiation Liaison:
Marcelo E. Vazquez, M.D., Ph.D.
National Space Biomedical Research Institute