Too Much Space Radiation Can Damage Astronaut's Brain, But NASA Is Working Hard On A Fix

We want to get astronauts to the Moon really soon, so that we can set up a staging base there for missions further out into space.

The problem is, the radiation they'll be bombarded with is a problem, and apparently it might be worse than we previously thought.

Images courtesy: NASA

A team of scientists recently conducted a first-of-its-kind experiment in order to figure out what kind effects space radiation could have on travellers in the cosmos. And unfortunately for NASA, the results aren't good.

The research was conducted by a team of scientists from University of California, Irvine, Stanford University, Colorado State University, and the Eastern Virginia School of Medicine. They used a neutron irradiation lab to expose mice to the same levels of radiation they'd experience in space.

"We have uncovered that realistic, low dose rate exposures produce serious neurocognitive complications associated with impaired neurotransmission," the report reads. "Chronic (6 month) low dose (18 cGy) and dose rate (192 mGy/day) exposures ... result in diminished hippocampal neuronal excitability and disrupted hippocampal and cortical long-term potentiation."

Basically, spending too long in space exposed to the high levels of cosmic radiation could dampen astronauts' brains. Specifically, it would affect their learning and memory, and cause the emergence of distress behaviors. Even worse, the study indicates that these changes will also be permanent. It ties in with previous study of US astronaut Scott Kelly who spent 340 days in space aboard the International Space Station. Testing after his return showed his cognitive abilities had decreased.

According to lead researcher Charles Limoli, it's likely one in five astronauts traveling through deep space for a long time would experience symptoms similar to anxiety, while one in three would suffer memory loss. And when you're in space with a small crew, that could mean the difference between life and death.

It doesn't necessarily take habitation of the Moon and Mars completely off the table though. We just need to find a way to better protect the astronauts in space. NASA is at the moment taking steps to limit astronauts' exposure on the upcoming Artemis Mission to the Moon.

For one, they have a "lifeguard station" at the Johnson Space Center in Houston that monitors radiation spikes like solar flares. The idea is that they can monitor for days when rad levels are high and accordingly instruct astronauts not to leave the safety of the Moon base, or tell them to build a temporary shelter if they're already out.

Additionally, more mass acting as a shield between the solar energy particles and the crew means a higher likelihood of them depositing their energy before they reach the human bodies and do damage. Of course you can't bulk up a rocket, because that would raise its fuel consumption for launch and consequently the price.

So instead, they're working on alternate materials they could use in spacecraft to block cosmic radiation. On the Moon, astronauts could simply bulk up their shelter using naturally shielding materials available there. Aside from that, the space agency is also working on other prototypes like shielding vests and wearable devices, as well as ways to generate electrically-shielding bubbles.