Report means that astronauts shouldn’t be uncovered to greater than 600 millisieverts of radiation throughout their careers. We get 2-Three a yr right here on earth

Space may be beautiful, but it’s dangerous. Astronauts are exposed to much higher doses of ionizing radiation than humans on Earth, and a new report says NASA’s current guidelines and risk assessment methods urgently need an update.

On the earth’s surface, protected by our extensive magnetic field and layers of thick atmosphere, we experience about 2-3 millisievert (mSv) radiation exposure every year. Even this background level is enough to trigger the occasional cancer growth.

But astronauts, especially those hoping for long-term long-term missions to the moon and Mars, are at much greater risk because of the high-energy, ionizing radiation that constantly pervades every cubic inch of space. To mitigate this risk, NASA is currently implementing a system based on “Risk of Exposure Caused Death” (REID). The space agency estimates the exposure for each astronaut based on their gender, and if the REID exceeds 3%, their space career is over.

However, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine recommends that NASA update its guidelines. Instead, NASA should implement a single, uniform limit of 600 mSv, which would correspond to a REID of 3% for a 35-year-old astronaut (considered the most suspect group).

“NASA should continually strive to base its standards on the best available science as it enters this new phase of space travel and exploration,” said Hedvig Hricak, chair of the Department of Radiology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Chair of the committee that wrote the report. “As the science of radiation-related cancer risks continues to evolve, NASA has an important opportunity to rethink its health standards for space radiation. We hope this report will guide NASA in protecting the health of astronauts throughout their careers. “

The new limits would allow female astronauts to perform longer missions, but would put them at higher risk at the end of their careers.

To address these concerns, the report recommended that NASA measure risk levels individually, rather than on a group basis, and share them with astronauts. Every astronaut should know their current exposure and the risks involved. You should then be free to take the additional risk.

“The risks of space travel are borne by a small group of astronauts, but society as a whole benefits – from technological advances, new scientific discoveries, and national and international pride and collaboration,” said R. Julian Preston, vice chairman of the committee and Government Special Representative to the Radiation Protection Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. “But as missions go deeper into space, we need to communicate why astronauts need to take this risk and provide explicit ethical justifications. This report provides a framework to achieve this. “

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