Space

Is exposure to deep space radiation killing off Apollo-era astronauts?

View 3 Images
Buzz Aldrin pictured on the surface of the Moon
NASA
Processed Hasselblad footage of the Earth hanging over the lunar surface as captured during the historic Apollo 11 mission
NASA
Buzz Aldrin pictured on the surface of the Moon
NASA
Image of the lunar surface captured during the historic Apollo 11 mission
NASA
View gallery - 3 images

Florida State University Professor Michael Delp has identified a link between deep space radiation exposure, and a high rate of mortality due to cardiovascular problems in astronauts who flew beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) during the Apollo program. Research based on the discovery could be used to safeguard future astronauts undertaking the next phase of manned space exploration.

Numerous studies have been carried out aimed at understanding and mitigating the health risks to astronauts operating in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Research in the area has led to the development of equipment and exercise regimes designed to maintain the health of astronauts operating in microgravity environments such as that prevailing aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

However, as nations across the globe, including the United States, China, and even commercial entities such as SpaceX, turn their gaze back towards the sphere of manned deep space exploration, a different form of danger must be considered — the threat posed by cosmic radiation.

LEO astronauts, such as those that make up the crew of theISS are largely protected from deep space radiation thanks to the protective influence of Earth's magnetosphere, which works to deflect the dangerous particles emanating from our Sun.

Processed Hasselblad footage of the Earth hanging over the lunar surface as captured during the historic Apollo 11 mission
NASA

Members of the Apollo program that flew beyond LEO had no such protection, and were fully exposed to the deep space radiation. Space exploration by its very nature requires pioneers to step into the unknown, and cope with environments that our species has not evolved to survive. The best that we can do to prepare for future missions is to learn from the experiences of those brave souls who have ventured beyond the microgravity environment.

Delp's study went one step further by observing the cause of death for Apollo astronauts in order to determine the risk to future human explorers. Between 1968 and 1972 nine manned Apollo missions flew beyond LEO into deep space. Of the 24 astronauts that crewed the spacecraft, 8 have passed away.

Upon reviewing their causes of death, the professor noted that 43 percent of the Apollo astronauts had fallen victim to cardiovascular issues, a rate five times higher than ground crew and astronauts who never passed beyond Earth's protective magnetosphere. According to Delp, it is possible that the cardiovascular defects result from an exposure to cosmic radiation.

Image of the lunar surface captured during the historic Apollo 11 mission
NASA

To explore his theory further, Delp subjected laboratory mice to radiation doses similar to those which would be absorbed by astronauts operating in deep space. It was discovered that six months after exposure, which would be the equivalent of 20 human years for the mice, the subjects began to exhibit signs of artery impairment. Such degradation in a human patient could in time lead to the onset of atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Having provided evidence for a link between exposure to cosmic radiation and deterioration to vascular health, Delp is now working with NASA to develop methods by which we may be able to counteract the effect of deep space radiation. Antioxidants are being examined as one line of potential treatment, the administering of which could theoretically protect a space explorer's blood vessels from damage due to oxidant stress.

The capacity to mitigate the dangers to future astronauts posed by cosmic radiation will be of vital importance if NASA is to progress with its mission to Mars, the nextstep of which involves the development of long term habitats orbiting in cislunar space.

Source: Florida State University

View gallery - 3 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
10 comments
P51d007
Ummm...most of the astronauts of the "apollo" era, were veterans of the Korean war era, which puts most of them in their high 70 to low 80 year old range, which is the AVERAGE of human life. Also, most of that era smoked cigarettes, which, until the mid 60's were not considered harmful until 64-67 when they announced that smoking was not good for you. They also lived in an era where people ate a LOT of eggs, fat and other foods that today are considered "harmful" in quantity.
MatthewDeGeorge
There is an extremely potent and safe antioxidant used by millions of diabetics every day called Metformin
hardboiled
Surely the way to find out is send a few rats into deep space or to circumnavigate Mars and then count the tumours when they return.
Lawnmowerman
It is fairly clear, now, that the harmful fats are most trans fast and processed vegetable oils that were considered healthful for a long time. The feared coconut oil has become a health supplement! The biggest culprit is gluten fragments that make it into the blood stream.
Ra'anan Elozory
IF they'd REALLY gone to the moon, then radiation would have killed them long, long ago or at least that's what Soviet astronauts have said.
MattII
Well of the 27 men who've left near earth orbit, 8 have died, 1 from complications of cancer, 2 from heart attack, 1 from pancreatitis, 1 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, 1 from leukaemia, 1 from complications of surgery, and 1 died under hospice care. So only 1/4 of those who've died have done so as a result of conditions relating to radiation.
Nomen
I think old age is killing off the Apollo astronauts. I think the average Apollo astronaut is now older than the 76-78 year average lifespan for American men. This sounds like another attempt to use statistics on too small of a group and then trying to use the result to prove a preconceived idea. A common problem these days especially in astrophysics.
TrendMillwork
Ummm.......what about the Van Allen Radiation Belts?
warren52nz
What about creating a magnetic field around the spacecraft? That's how the Earth protects us.
Stephen N Russell
Just now being made public? Sure ITs NOT smoke & cancer?? drinking excessive ? Smoking was the rage then IE cigars, pipes & cigarettes Hope study is wrong.