As NASA prepares for Artemis II—the momentous mission set to send astronauts spiraling around the moon next year—a groundbreaking new study sheds light on the effectiveness of the Orion spacecraft in shielding its crew from harmful space radiation. This insight, drawn from the data of its predecessor, Artemis I, unveils crucial information as humanity embarks on deeper space exploration.

The Artemis I mission took place in late 2022 and marked a pivotal 25-day journey around the moon. Although the Orion capsule was uncrewed, it hosted two specially designed mannequin torsos: Helga and Zohar. Engineered to emulate human soft tissue, organs, and bones, these mannequins were equipped with detectors to measure the radiation exposure experienced throughout the voyage.

Recent findings published in the journal Nature detail how successfully the spacecraft shielded against radiation during this unprecedented journey. Leading this insightful research effort, the study confirms that the shielding technology used in Orion is effective in diminishing radiation exposure, a vital consideration for future crewed lunar missions.

Sergi Vaquer Araujo, who leads the space medicine team at the European Space Agency, shared the significance of these findings: “The Artemis I mission marks a crucial step in advancing our understanding of how space radiation impacts the safety of future crewed missions to the Moon.” While not directly involved in the study, Araujo noted the ESA's contribution of mobile dosimeters that helped gather radiation data during the mission.

Understanding the Cosmic Threats

Radiation in space poses a serious health risk to astronauts, a concern NASA has been studying since the 1960s. Unlike astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), which enjoys some protection from Earth's magnetic field and advanced shielding, those venturing beyond low-Earth orbit will face unfiltered cosmic rays and radiation from solar events.

A pivotal area of interest for mission safety was the Van Allen Belts—two radiation rings around Earth. During Artemis I, the sensors embedded in Orion allowed continuous tracking of radiation exposure as the capsule traversed these belts, and researchers noted significant variations in radiation levels based on detector locations.

Exciting Discoveries Inside Orion

The study revealed that the spacecraft's "storm shelter," designed for storing crew supplies, offered four times more protection than the least shielded areas in the capsule. Lead author Stuart George remarked, “We found that the storm shelter was the most shielded area on the vehicle, which is good because it was designed that way!”

The mission also coincided with cosmic phenomena, as the sun approaches its solar maximum—a period of increased solar activity. Such events could cause heightened radiation levels, emphasizing the importance of the storm shelter design to protect astronauts during solar particle events.

In a surprising turn, researchers observed that during a flip maneuver to ensure the capsule’s trajectory, radiation levels inside Orion dropped by 50%. This maneuver inadvertently positioned more of the spacecraft's shielding against incoming radiation, showcasing the importance of spacecraft design in radiation mitigation.

Preparing for Artemis II and Beyond

Looking ahead to Artemis II, adjustments to the storm shelter concept are underway. This is crucial as astronauts might need to remain in the shelter for longer durations during potential solar events. The updated design will allow the crew to access more of the cabin while still staying protected.

As excitement builds for upcoming Artemis missions, the core stage for Artemis II’s powerful rocket has arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with preparations for the Artemis III mission already in motion. Artemis III aims for a historic landing of the first woman and a person of color at the lunar south pole by 2026.

In an innovative training phase, the Artemis II crew—comprising NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—has been conducting field training in Iceland. Their mission involves capturing detailed images of lunar features during their journey around the moon, representing a leap forward in lunar science and exploration.

Ultimately, these pioneering missions promise not only to enhance our understanding of space radiation but also to lay the groundwork for humanity’s future in deeper space exploration. Will these advancements make long-duration missions feasible? Time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Artemis missions are not just about reaching the moon; they are about redefining our capabilities in the cosmos.