Space Radiation Environment & Biological Effects
Also: GCR · SPE · ionizing radiation in spaceflight
RadiationOncologyNeurological & CognitiveCardiovascularIn-flightEVA & Surface OpsLifetime SurveillanceLEO long-durationCislunar / Lunar orbitLunar surfaceMars transit & surfacePublicClinicianResearcher
- Space radiation includes galactic cosmic rays (GCR), solar particle events (SPE) and particles trapped in Earth's radiation belts. ◇◇◇◇ Grade pending · E
- Instrument measurements on the Mars Science Laboratory cruise estimated roughly 0.66 Sv dose equivalent for a round-trip Mars transit of current duration. ◇◇◇◇ Grade pending · F C
- Increased lifetime cancer risk is a principal long-term concern; exact risk estimates carry large uncertainty. ◇◇◇◇ Grade pending · M C
Evidence grades are pending reviewer assignment. Source tags: F flight · A analog · M model/animal · C computational · E expert.
Definition & overview
Space radiation differs from most terrestrial exposures because it includes high-energy, heavy charged particles (HZE ions) from galactic cosmic rays, as well as episodic solar particle events. Earth’s magnetosphere provides partial protection in low Earth orbit; beyond it, exposure rises. Measurements by the Radiation Assessment Detector during the Mars Science Laboratory cruise provide a widely cited estimate of transit exposure [2]. Cancer risk projections for exploration crews remain highly uncertain [1].
Content pending clinical review.
Hazard context (RIDGE)
Content pending clinical review.
Epidemiology & incidence in spaceflight
Content pending clinical review.
Pathophysiology
Content pending clinical review.
Clinical presentation
Content pending clinical review.
Diagnosis & monitoring
Content pending clinical review.
Prevention & countermeasures
Content pending clinical review.
Management
Content pending clinical review.
Mission-type considerations
Content pending clinical review.
Postflight & long-term outcomes
Content pending clinical review.
Terrestrial analogs & relevance
Content pending clinical review.
Research frontier
Content pending clinical review.
Commercial spaceflight notes
Content pending clinical review.
Clinical pearls / pitfalls
Content pending clinical review.
Evidence profile
- Overall certainty
- ◇◇◇◇ Grade pending (proposed)
- Last reviewed
- Pending review
References 2
- Cucinotta FA, Durante M. Cancer risk from exposure to galactic cosmic rays: implications for space exploration by human beings. Lancet Oncol. 2006;7(5):431-435. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(06)70695-7 C
- Zeitlin C, Hassler DM, Cucinotta FA, et al. Measurements of energetic particle radiation in transit to Mars on the Mars Science Laboratory. Science. 2013;340(6136):1080-1084. doi:10.1126/science.1235989 F
Citations require human verification against source before review.
Article info
- Authors
- Pending
- Reviewer
- Pending review
- Last reviewed
- Pending review
- AI-assisted
- Yes (disclosed)
- COI
- Pending
- License
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cite this version
- Pending first edition