The investigation, called the Matroshka AstroRad Radiation Experiment (MARE), tested the AstroRad radiation protection vest to shield astronauts’ vital organs from dangerous space radiation during missions beyond low-Earth orbit. (Image: NASA)

WHO

A next-gen radiation vest for astronauts to wear beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) reduces Radiation Exposure Induced Death (REID) while eliminating the possibility of Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) due to solar particle events.

WHAT

The AstroRad uses a proprietary smart shielding design to selectively protect those organs and tissues which are most sensitive to radiation in terms of REID probability. This approach provides the greatest biological impact of protection with the least amount of mass. Tissue-weighting factors are assigned to organs and tissues in the body to reflect the variance in radiation sensitivity, with organs such as the lungs, bone marrow, colon, stomach, breasts, and ovaries being among the most sensitive. Selective protection of these organs, and tissue-resident stem cell concentrations within them, was accomplished by designing variable shielding thickness to complement the body’s own shielding. The shielding in the AstroRad comprises a polymer with a high abundance of hydrogen, which is advantageous for shielding against space radiation because it minimizes the generation of secondary radiation. Individual solid shielding elements are organized into a scale-like architecture to allow for uninhibited, comfortable movement of the astronauts while wearing the AstroRad. StemRad is currently exploring the use of recycled plastics materials generated onboard future spacecraft for use in the shielding elements which would dramatically decrease the payload mass associated with the equipment.

WHERE

Co-developed by StemRad (Tel Aviv, Israel) and Lockheed Martin (Bethesda, MD).

WHY

Astronauts face high risk of exposure to radiation in space and need protection. The AstroRad vest envelops vital organs with shielding. It is compatible for use even within the spacecraft’s storm shelter so the crew can combine both protection tools simultaneously to minimize long-term health risks.

WHEN

The radiation protection vest was tested on the ISS and during NASA’s Artemis I mission. The early results from the MARE experiment indicate the AstroRad vest could be a game-changing technology to enable longer deep space missions for astronauts.

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Topics:
Aerospace Manufacturing & Prototyping Materials

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