Cosmic radiation is one of the main stopping factors of manned research of the nearest (and not only) of space by mankind. Recently concluded research program, HI-SEAS V, held in an isolated area of the Hawaiian Islands, placing task test human physical and psychological capabilities. And while all of interested people waiting to see what the new will offer the company SpaceX with regards to its long a fantastic plans for the colonization of Mars, space Agency NASA has begun a new, more application software HRP (Human Research Program), aimed at finding a solution to the question of impacts on the human body radiation.
“Determining the impact of the prolonged effects of radiation on astronauts is a complex process. It is difficult to determine exactly how the radiation interacts with tissues and cells. Even harder to understand what the negative effects will manifest in the future from exposure to this radiation. It is not only about diseases, but in General the effects caused by radiation to the healthy functioning of biological systems,” says NASA physicist, Tony is Weak.
Radiation can harm almost any cells of a living organism. Therefore, the goal of the project HRP is determining the projected impacts on the body, including the development of cancer or any adverse effects on the cardiovascular and Central nervous system. It has been proved that cosmic radiation is able to shrink and do less elastic the arteries, damage the heart and lead to the development of cardiovascular disease by destruction of cells in the tissues of the blood vessels. In addition, radiation can inhibit neurogenesis (the replacement of old cells new), damaging or completely destroying the existing neural cells faster than the body is able to repair or replace. This, in turn, can be manifested for example in the form of a deficit of memory and disturbance of other cognitive functions.
“One of the most serious manifestations of the effects of radiation on cells can be DNA damage. There is a possibility of destruction of the entire chain,” explains Peter Guida, biologist, Laboratory for the study of cosmic radiation NASA.
“The cells try to repair the damage. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not. And sometimes the recovery can be carried out correctly. Genes that received improper recovery can lead to mutations, and accumulation of these mutations over time may lead, for example, to the development of cancer.”
Although some of the effects of prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation on the body can be similar to the effects of radiation exposure on Earth, the study looks at cosmic radiation as a separate problem.
“In space, beyond the protective magnetic field of the Earth and the atmosphere present a complex field of radiation of protons, and all elements of periodic system can be accelerated almost to light speed. The effects of radiation in space different from radiation on Earth (e.g., from the same x-rays and gamma rays). It is unique by nature”.
The HRP project leader wants to find a really effective means which will protect the astronauts, going to go back to the same Mars. One option, though not solve, but minimize its impact is to reduce the time of radiation exposure. This requires the use of faster missiles that will allow you to spend less time in space. To help can also come special pharmaceuticals and special shielding materials that will be used as the skins of spacecraft and spacesuits of the future space colonizers.
NASA solves the issue of the impact of cosmic radiation on the body
Nikolai Khizhnyak