Space radiation is one of the primary environmental hazards associated with space flight.
Crew members are subjected to greater amounts of natural radiation in space than they receive on Earth, which can result in immediate and long-term risks. Trapped belts of energetic particles, found in the Earth's magnetic field, consist predominantly of protons and electrons. GCRs consist of protons and heavy particles that originate outside the solar system. Solar flares are produced by solar magnetic storms and can last for hours or days. A solar particle event, which sometimes accompanies solar flares, may be the most potent space radiation hazard.