Radiation safety specialist at the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences shared the idea of counteracting proton events in space
Polyethylene or composite «caps» to protect the brain from radiation, perhaps, will appear in the future with the cosmonauts of the Russian orbital station ROSS, which will operate in high-latitude orbit. This was announced on Tuesday at the «Science Cafe» Vyacheslav Shurshakov, Head of the Department of Radiation Safety of Manned Space Flights of the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Photo: nasa.gov
According to him, cosmonauts now periodically hide from solar emissions, the so-called proton events, behind special curtains. But with a 98-degree inclination of the new station's orbit (the ISS flies at an inclination of 51.6 degrees), there will be more such events, and they can have much more serious consequences for the health of astronauts. Therefore, scientists are thinking about strengthening the radiation protection of crew members, including local protection of the critical organ – brain.
One of the options, according to Shurshakov, could be a «cap»; made of polyethylene, a composite material, or a combination of them.
«If a proton event occurs, the radiation situation worsens, on the recommendation of our service, the astronauts will be given the command: «Put on caps!" – said the specialist of the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences.