Sneak Peek #20 - Space radiation and ways of protecting from it

Radiation is one of the main negative biological factors of outer space. There are two types of radiation that poses potential threats: solar flares cosmic rays. Solar flares are rather powerful radioactive impulses capable of killing in a very short time. Cosmic rays are a set of various particles that have a high linear energy transfer, because of what they are called densely ionizing radiation.



Radioprotective transgenes

Such transgenes can be obtained from many organisms with a high degree of radioresistance. If we identify the genes and molecular mechanisms responsible for increased radioresistance, they can be transferred to people with the help of gene therapy.

Radioprotectors

These are medical supplies that increase the body's radiation protection. They inhibit the body's radiochemical reactions, as well as increase the reactivity of the body's protective mechanisms.

Hibernation

Hibernation causes all slowing down of processes in the human body. In the course of the experiments, it was proved that in this state resistance to extreme factors increases: temperature decrease, fatal doses of radiation, overloads, and so on.

The problem of the radiation safety of space missions' participants belongs to the class of very complex problems that impede the conquest of space and solutions are sought immediately.