Astronaut's risc of cardiovascular sicknesses

[Green Baron]

This

http://www.nature.com/articles/srep29901

might influence decisions on future long term stays in spacey conditions.

Health seems to be in danger when leaving earth's magnetosphere. Of course, the database is thin.

From the Abstract: " The results demonstrate that space-relevant irradiation induces a sustained vascular endothelial cell dysfunction. Such impairment is known to lead to occlusive artery disease, and may be an important risk factor for CVD among astronauts exposed to deep space radiation."

 

Edited July 28, 2016 by Green Baron

[benzman]

Despite the small sample size of the Apollo group, that makes for very sobering reading.

 

[lajoswinkler]

The sample is way too small. I'd take this not with a grain of salt, but with a spoonful of it.

 

I've noticed that during the recent years there has been an increase in panic over "them space radiamations" in general public and the media. Most cosmic rays aren't stopped by the magnetosphere or atmosphere, but lithosphere. We're constantly bombarded by them and that's obvious when you look at the cloud chamber or just hold a Geiger-Müller tube in air.

Take a look at this fairly large surface (but low height) cloud chamber and imagine how many of these rays/particles flash around in one cubic metre. A lot more than in this small chamber, that's for sure.

 

Magnetosphere and atmosphere shield us mainly from solar wind and once you're on the Moon or further away, your increase in ionizing ray dose is basically increased by them. It's the Sun. That is manageable.

Edited July 29, 2016 by lajoswinkler

[Green Baron]

 

I wouldn't call it panic, the problem of radiation was not quantitatively addressed before because it wasn't necessary. Astronauts in LEO seemingly aren't much more endangered than those who never flew into space. But since plans for new travels to the moon and mars are becoming clearer and technology opens new possibilities health must be considered. It'll be ... expensive if a sick crew arrives on mars and the specialized hospital still was in a state of planning ;-)

Radiation in space is not life-friendly, that is not a new awareness. It's a good idea to study the risk before people head out.

If you're interested you'll find more recent work on the subject following links in the article. None of it says "just go, you'll be fine" ...

 

Edited July 29, 2016 by Green Baron