During NASA's Artemis I mission in 2022, two mannequins named Helga and Zohar were sent aboard the spacecraft to measure radiation levels that astronauts will face in upcoming missions Artemis II and III.
Recent findings published by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Nature indicate that radiation levels in the protected areas of the Orion spacecraft are acceptable for future lunar missions. Radiation poses a significant risk beyond Earth's magnetic field and the Van Allen radiation belts, potentially leading to cancer and other health issues for astronauts traveling to the Moon and beyond.
The study revealed that radiation exposure within the Orion capsule varies by location, with protected zones offering four times better shielding than unprotected areas. Additionally, the spacecraft's orientation can significantly reduce radiation exposure; for instance, a 90° turn during passage through the Van Allen belts can decrease radiation levels by 50%. These results affirm the basic protection measures of Orion for future crewed spaceflights.
The mannequins were designed to simulate radiation effects on the human body, with one mannequin unprotected and the other equipped with a radiation-protective vest. While results from this comparison are pending, researchers are actively analyzing the data.
Sergio Wacker Araújo, head of the space medicine team, emphasized that radiation monitors aboard Orion provided valuable insights into how space radiation interacts with the spacecraft's protective materials and which areas offer the greatest protection. This knowledge is crucial for assessing astronaut safety during future missions to the Moon and beyond.