{"id":87986,"date":"2016-09-22T17:34:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-22T21:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-391438"},"modified":"2023-07-26T15:03:33","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T19:03:33","slug":"scientists-and-engineers-evaluate-orion-radiation-protection-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/orion\/scientists-and-engineers-evaluate-orion-radiation-protection-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists and Engineers Evaluate Orion Radiation Protection Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"hds-media-import-wrapper\"><\/figure>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1893\" height=\"1065\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?w=1893\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Engineers Conduct Testing and Evaluate Procedures\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg 1893w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1893px) 100vw, 1893px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Engineers conducted testing in a representative Orion to evaluate procedures that will be used to protect astronauts during radiation events in space. <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"826\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Stowage Bags On Board Orion\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg 8990w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=300,121 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=768,310 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=1024,413 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=1536,620 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=2048,826 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=400,161 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=600,242 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=900,363 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=1200,484 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/img_42551.jpg?resize=2000,807 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The crew will use stowage bags on board Orion during missions to deep space to create a dense shelter. <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When astronauts in Orion venture far beyond Earth into deep space, they will expand humanity\u2019s frontier and push the boundaries of exploration. While the spacecraft is designed with systems and materials to keep the crew safe during their journey, leaving the protection of Earth\u2019s magnetosphere exposes astronauts to a radiation environment in space that scientists and engineers at Johnson Space Center in Houston are working hard to protect against.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NASA works to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/goddard\/real-martians-how-to-protect-astronauts-from-space-radiation-on-mars\" rel=\"noopener\">protect astronauts from radiation<\/a> and limit their exposure over time because chronic effects can, for example, include an increased risk of cancer. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/np-2014-03-001-jsc-orion_radiation_handout.pdf?emrc=7de5c3\" rel=\"noopener\">To limit risks in Orion<\/a>, the team is developing a way to make use of the mass on board the spacecraft to protect the crew and recently conducted evaluations at Johnson to test procedures for getting astronauts into their protective environment as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur goal is to limit the risk of radiation exposure over an astronaut\u2019s lifetime,\u201d said Kerry Lee, radiation system manager for Orion. \u201cIt\u2019s not likely you\u2019d see acute effects of radiation during a mission or immediately upon return, but we are concerned about long term effects. Our work aims to mitigate risks due to radiation without adding mass to the vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Orion will be equipped with a radiation-sensing instrument integrated into the vehicle called the Hybrid Electronic Radiation Assessor, or HERA, to provide a warning if crew members need to take shelter in the case of a radiation event, such as a solar flare. To protect themselves, astronauts will position themselves in the central part of the crew module largely reserved for storing items they\u2019ll need during flight and create a shelter using the stowage bags on board. The method protects the crew by increasing mass directly surrounding them, and therefore making a denser environment that solar particles would have to travel through, while not adding mass to the crew module itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the warning were to sound, the crew would create the shelter within an hour and in some cases would need to stay inside for as long as 24 hours. Using the stowage bags on board that will contain supplies, food and water, in combination with Orion\u2019s seats will allow astronauts making the shelter to strategically place denser bags in areas of the vehicle with less radiation-protecting materials. For example, the bottom of Orion where the heat shield and service module are attached will provide more shielding than other areas, and stowage bags can be used for parts of the spacecraft\u2019s interior with less shielding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA big part of the evaluation was assessing how coordinated the crew could be given the procedures we\u2019re establishing for them,\u201d said Jessica Vos, deputy health and medical technical authority for Orion. \u201cThe real meat of it was evaluating how effective we could be with our procedures given that the crew may not have a lot of warning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The evaluation also included assessing ways to tie down the stowage bags, where to locate tubing to provide air to the shelter and the best ways to get in and out of it. After evaluating test results, NASA will further develop the procedures and conduct additional testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Orion will launch atop NASA\u2019s powerful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/sls\" rel=\"noopener\">Space Launch System<\/a> rocket to deep space destinations on NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/journeytomars\" rel=\"noopener\">journey to Mars<\/a>. It\u2019s first mission, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/feature\/the-ins-and-outs-of-nasa-s-first-launch-of-sls-and-orion\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Exploration Mission-1<\/a>, will send an uncrewed Orion about 40,000 miles beyond the moon in late 2018.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When astronauts in Orion venture far beyond Earth into deep space, they will expand humanity\u2019s frontier and push the boundaries of exploration. While the spacecraft is designed with systems and materials to keep the crew safe during their journey, leaving the protection of Earth\u2019s magnetosphere exposes astronauts to a radiation environment in space that scientists […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133,"featured_media":113647,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2683,3783],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Scientists and Engineers Evaluate Orion Radiation Protection Plan","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/orion\/scientists-and-engineers-evaluate-orion-radiation-protection-plan\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/orion\/scientists-and-engineers-evaluate-orion-radiation-protection-plan\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Mark A. Garcia"}],"creator":["Mark A. Garcia"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate","Common Exploration Systems Development Division","Orion Program","Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle"],"dateCreated":"2016-09-22T21:34:00Z","datePublished":"2016-09-22T21:34:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T19:03:33Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Scientists and Engineers Evaluate Orion Radiation Protection Plan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/orion\/scientists-and-engineers-evaluate-orion-radiation-protection-plan\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2016-09-22T21:34:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate,Common Exploration Systems Development Division,Orion Program,Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Mark A. Garcia\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"time_ago":"8 years","featured_image":{"id":113647,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/top_view_test_start1.jpg","title":"top_view_test_start1","alt":"Engineers Conduct Testing and Evaluate Procedures","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87986"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/133"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87986"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87986\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":482748,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87986\/revisions\/482748"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/113647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87986"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=87986"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=87986"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=87986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}