Astronauts are exposed to different types, and higher levels, of radiation in space #### Space Radiation Sources (hard to shield against): 1. Particules trapped in Earth's magentic field 2. Sun particles 3. Galactic cosmic rays #### Radiation Dangers Radiation increases risks of **cancer** and **degenerative diseases** e.g. heart disease, cataracts. > Astronauts on the way to Mars will experience almost 60% of the maximum dose of radiation for a lifetime in just 6 months. ### Current solutions protecting against radiation - Shielding and radiation monitoring, uses detectors that can estimate the dose and type of radiation that astronauts are exposed to - Operational procedures, which use vehicle stowage and materials to reduce radiation exposure - **A thin layer of water** in between the two walls of the space craft may be enough to block a large proportion of this radiation, but water is heavy and therefore impractical Future & potential solutions - Using [[Alumina]] as a resistor to radiation - Use of Plastic waste to protect against radiation #spacesurvival #pn #### Sources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4og8V_PgOSE