How is the development of the space shield an example of the STEM cycle in action?
Answers
Answer:
Radiation biology is an interdisciplinary science that examines the biological
effects of radiation on living systems. To fully understand the relationship between
radiation and biology, and to solve problems in this field, researchers incorporate
fundamentals of biology, physics, astrophysics, planetary science, and
engineering.
The major goal of NASA’s Space Radiation Project is to enable human exploration
of space without exceeding an acceptable level of risk from exposure to space
radiation. Space radiation is distinct from common terrestrial forms of radiation.
Our magnetosphere protects us from significant exposure to radiation from the sun
and from space. Radiation that is emitted from the sun is comprised of fluctuating
levels of high-energy protons. Space radiation consists of low levels of heavy
charged particles. High-energy protons and charged particles can damage both
shielding materials and biological systems. The amount, or dose, of space
radiation is typically low, but the effects are cumulative. Solar activity fluctuates,
and so the risk of exposure increases with the amount of time spent in space.
Therefore there is significant concern for long-term human space travel. Possible
health risks include cancer, damage to the central nervous system, cataracts, risk
of acute radiation sickness, and hereditary effects. Because there is limited data
on human response to space radiation, scientists have developed methods to
estimate the risk. This is based on theoretical calculations and biological
Introduction
Space Radiation
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experimentation. NASA supports research to analyze biological
effects at ground-based research facilities where the space
radiation environment can be simulated. Research performed at
these facilities is helping us to understand and reduce the risk for
astronauts to develop biological effects from space radiation, to
ensure proper measurement of the doses received by astronauts
on the International Space Station (ISS) and in future spacecraft,
and to develop advanced materials that improve radiation
shielding for future long-duration space exploration on the Moon
and possibly on Mars.
For over 35 years, NASA has been collecting and monitoring the
radiation doses received by all NASA astronauts who have
traveled into space as part of the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space
Shuttle, Mir, and ISS programs. While uncertainties in predicting
the nature and magnitude of space radiation biological risks still
remain1, data on the amount of space radiation and its
composition are becoming more readily available, and research is
helping to identify the biological effects of that radiation.
A Brief History of Humans on the Moon
It is important to note that the NASA Apollo program was
designed to land humans on the Moon and bring them safely
back to Earth; it was not designed to establish a permanent
presence on the Moon. The duration of the lunar surface missions
were very short, largely due to the risks of space radiation
exposure and the unpredictable nature of the solar weather.
Between 1969 and 1972, six of the seven lunar landing missions
(including Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17) were successful and
enabled 12 astronauts to walk on the Moon. While on the surface,
the astronauts carried out a variety of lunar surface experiments
designed to study lunar soil mechanics, meteoroids, seismic
activity, heat flow, lunar ranging, magnetic field distributions, and
solar wind activity. The astronauts also gathered samples and
returned to Earth with over 600 pounds of Moon rocks and dust.
Explanation: