ESA testing materials to shield astronauts from cosmic radiation
« Back to Article
Experimental setup for testing radiation shielding properties of simulated Moon and Mars materials with lunar regolith on the left, lunar concrete in the middle, and Mars regolith on the right (Photo: ROSSINI)
Astronauts manning a proposed deep space station on the far side of the Moon would need enhanced radiation protection (Image: NASA)
GSI's linear accelerator UNILAC (UNIversal Linear ACcelerator) that will be used to help assess the shielding properties of various materials (Photo: GSI)
Article Summary
With astronauts venturing beyond the protection of Earth’s magnetic field exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation, the European Space Agency (ESA) has teamed with Germany’s GSI (Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung) particle accelerator in the search for materials to shield future astronauts going to the Moon, the asteroids and Mars, or manning a space station beyond the Moon. Amongst the candidates being assessed are Moon and Mars soil.
« Back to ESA testing materials to shield astronauts from cosmic radiation
Other Images from this Gallery
Related Articles
-
Cosmic rays hit Space-Age high
30th September, 2009
-
NASA sending Radiation Belt Storm Probes to study the Van Allen Belt
10th August, 2012
-
Demron lightweight, lead-free radiation-proof suit
8th May, 2008
-
Robonaut 2 headed for orbit
16th April, 2010
-
NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes record electromagnetic "Earthsong"
2nd October, 2012
-
Boeing wins Instrument Unit Avionics contract for Ares I launch vehicle
21st December, 2007
