A recent study indicates that a protective vest tested during NASA’s first Artemis mission could significantly decrease radiation exposure for lunar astronauts during intense solar storms. Scientists have detailed their findings on the vest used by a female test dummy in 2022 in the journal Science Advances. This unmanned Artemis I mission laid the groundwork for the planned human return to the moon.
Radiation poses a significant threat to astronauts as NASA progresses towards establishing a moon base. Shielding garments have the potential to protect lunar crews during solar storms and enable exploration beyond shelters if necessary. This discovery emerged from collaborative research by scientists in the United States, Germany, and Israel.
A version of this vest underwent previous testing on the International Space Station. Although it wasn’t included in the Artemis II mission due to space constraints, it could be part of future lunar missions. Designed for use during high-radiation solar events, the vest shields the most susceptible organs: lungs, stomach, bone marrow, breasts, and ovaries. Women face higher risks of radiation-induced cancers.
The Artemis I mission included two female manikins, Zohar and Helga, traveling to the moon and back. Zohar wore the 57-pound AstroRad vest, developed by StemRad and Lockheed Martin. The vest was crafted for comfort and functionality, inspired by gear used by nuclear disaster teams. Helga, without a vest, was equipped with numerous radiation sensors.
Lead author Jordan Houri from StemRad described the study as the most extensive effort to measure astronaut radiation exposure beyond low-Earth orbit. The research received funding from NASA, the German Aerospace Center, and the Israel Space Agency. Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field provide some protection for those closer to home, unlike in space.
While Artemis I faced no significant solar storms, data from the mission allowed researchers to simulate the protection the vest offers during solar particle events similar to severe storms in 1972 and 1989. Such events previously caused significant disruptions on Earth. The research suggests that the vest could reduce radiation exposure by 60% in severe conditions like those of 1972 and by nearly 40% for conditions like those of 1989.
These scenarios equate to reductions of 193 and 131 days of deep space radiation exposure, respectively. Apollo missions were short, but NASA’s future lunar base missions may last weeks to months, increasing the likelihood of encountering a solar storm. Mars expeditions could last even longer, perhaps a lifetime, as SpaceX envisions a city on Mars.
Researchers are exploring ways to reduce the vest’s weight without compromising its effectiveness. They also aim to make radiation shields using materials already present in spacecraft, which could enhance crew safety. Houri expressed confidence in the substantial dataset obtained from Zohar and Helga, suggesting no immediate need for further deep-space testing.
Zohar and the vest are now displayed at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, the site of their lunar journey’s beginning.
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