40 ASTRONAUTICS

Research on space radiation has expanded rapidly in recent years, but

many uncertainties remain in predicting the biological responses of hu-

mans to radiation exposure. Future manned space missions will travel far

beyond low Earth orbit and away from the protection of the Earth’s mag-

netosphere, where astronauts will be exposed for long periods to levels

of radiation never before experienced. What are the risks to their health?

Space

radiation −

a deadly

obstacle

by Michele Ferrara

revised by Damian G. Allis

NASA Solar System Ambassador

space radiation EN_l'Astrofilo 29/08/2019 15:44 Page 40