Radiation vest tested on NASA moonshot can cut astronauts' exposure in solar storms, study suggests

A new study highlights how a radiation vest, tested on a manikin during NASA's first Artemis moon mission, may significantly reduce exposure for lunar astronauts during intense solar storms. The vest, weighing 57 pounds (26 kilograms), shields vulnerable organs and tissues, particularly crucial for women, who are more susceptible to radiation-induced cancer.

The Artemis I mission, which did not include any astronauts, provided an opportunity to test the vest's effectiveness. Two female manikins, named Zohar and Helga, flew in the Orion capsule, with Zohar donning the vest. The vest was able to cut radiation exposure by approximately 60% during a solar storm as severe as the 1972 event and by nearly 40% during a scenario similar to the 1989 event.

These findings suggest that the vest could enable astronauts to extend their lunar missions and potentially support longer stays on the moon, as envisioned by NASA. The researchers are working to reduce the vest's weight while maintaining its protective capabilities and exploring the use of existing spacecraft materials for radiation shielding, which could prove invaluable for future deep-space missions.