The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that it’s developing capabilities at the International space platform (ISS) to reduce the “risks of the hazards of spaceflight and protect astronauts from space radiation”. The agency is using the ISS to predict space radiation exposure for future missions.
The study, which was published within the journal Nature, demonstrates how an astronaut’s DNA are often sensitive to radiation exposure on Earth, which successively can predict their DNA’s response during spaceflight. The response would be measured by the changes within the DNA’s chromosomes.
Why is that the study important?
The study has lasting implications for the longer term . Future space explorations wouldn’t be possible without the astronauts being increasingly exposed to space radiation.
The radiation is emitted from three sources. These include particles trapped within the Earth’s magnetic flux , galactic cosmic rays that have their origin outside our system , and particles released from solar flares.
Increased exposure to space radiation can cause cancer, also as other health issues. The heart, arteries, and even the central systema nervosum are often adversely affected. It also can end in degenerative diseases like osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.
What are the findings of the study?
Studying the chromosome changes in both younger and older crew members at the ISS, the study found that older astronauts are more vulnerable to long-term health issues from the radiation.
What have scientists said about the study?
Scientists hope the research will help them mitigate the consequences that astronauts develop from radiation exposure. it’ll also benefit future space missions as scientists can decide which astronauts to forward a selected mission supported the changes in their chromosomes.
Honglu Wu, the senior scientist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, said that the study will help know which astronauts are more in danger . He added that when planning a mission to Mars, the agency would have selected an older candidate in most cases. The new research has indicated that “we should study the age effects of radiation exposure more”.