Biological protection in deep space missions
Reviewartikel, 2021

During deep space missions, astronauts are exposed to highly ionizing radiation, incl. neutrons, protons and heavy ions from galactic cosmic rays (GCR), solar wind (SW) and solar energetic particles (SEP). This increase the risks for cancerogenisis, damages in central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular diseases, etc. Large SEP events can even cause acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Long term manned deep space missions will therefor require unique radiation protection strategies. Since it has been shown that physical shielding alone is not sufficient, this paper propose pre-flight screening of the aspirants for evaluation of their level of adaptive responses. Methods for boosting their immune system, should also be further investigated, and the possibility of using radiation effect modulators are discussed. In this paper, especially, the use of vitamin C as a promising non-toxic, cost-effective, easily available radiation mitigator (which can be used hours after irradiation), is described. Although it has previously been shown that vitamin C can decrease radiation-induced chromosomal damage in rodents, it must be further investigated before any conclusions about its radiation mitigating properties in humans can be concluded.

Deep Space

Astronauts

Biological Protection

Space Radiation

Radiation Risk

Mars Mission

Radiation Protection

Författare

Lembit Sihver

Technische Universität Wien

Chalmers, Fysik, Subatomär, högenergi- och plasmafysik

S. M.J. Mortazavi

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering

2251-7200 (eISSN)

Vol. 11 6 663-674

Ämneskategorier

Acceleratorfysik och instrumentering

Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi

Datavetenskap (datalogi)

DOI

10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.1193

Mer information

Senast uppdaterat

2021-12-15