NASA Just Sent Artificial Humans to the Edge of Space and What Happened Next is Chilling

For astronauts venturing out into the Solar System, it's not just the cold vacuum of space that poses a major hazard. On longer missions, radiation is a major concern that scientists have been trying to address for decades. Now, an experiment conducted aboard NASA's Artemis I mission, in which an uncrewed Orion capsule flew around the Moon and back to Earth, is shedding some light on the risks that astronauts will face on extended missions.

The Artemis I mission was designed to test the systems of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket that will be used in future crewed missions to the Moon and beyond. One of the key components of the mission was an experiment called Matroshka AstroRad Radiation Experiment, or MARE. This experiment involved sending artificial human bodies to space to test the effects of radiation on the human body.

The artificial bodies, called phantoms, were designed to mimic the shape and size of the human body and were made of materials that would absorb radiation in the same way as human tissue. The phantoms were equipped with sensors to measure the radiation they received during the mission, giving scientists a better understanding of the risks that astronauts would face on similar missions.

The results of the experiment are still being analyzed, but initial data suggests that the radiation exposure was higher than expected. This has significant implications for future missions to the Moon and beyond, where astronauts will be exposed to higher levels of radiation for longer periods. It also highlights the need for better shielding and protective measures to safeguard the health of astronauts on these missions.

Radiation exposure is a major concern for astronauts because it can increase the risk of cancer, damage the central nervous system, and cause other health problems. Prolonged exposure to radiation can also damage the DNA of astronauts, leading to genetic mutations that can be passed on to future generations.

NASA is taking the results of the MARE experiment seriously and is working to develop new technologies and strategies to mitigate the effects of radiation on astronauts. This includes developing new materials and designs for spacecraft that can provide better shielding against radiation, as well as developing protective measures such as space suits and inflatable spacecraft.

The success of the MARE experiment is an important step forward in our understanding of the risks and challenges of space travel. As NASA and other space agencies push the boundaries of space exploration, it is essential that we prioritize the health and safety of astronauts and take steps to mitigate the risks that they face.