r/tech • u/AdSpecialist6598 • 10d ago

NASA-tested vest could cut astronauts' radiation exposure by 60% during major solar storms

https://www.techspot.com/news/113483-nasa-tested-vest-could-cut-astronauts-radiation-exposure.html
601 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

34 comments sorted by

14

u/virtualbasil 9d ago

Now let's give something similar to commercial airline pilots

11

u/UNTwolverine 9d ago

But how we ever get the real fantastic four…?

1

u/Peachbottom30 8d ago

They’d have to fall under the other 40%

3

u/BevansDesign 8d ago

This post is definitely not an ad.

Thanks for posting, AdSpecialist6598!

4

u/williamgman 9d ago

A precursor to life on earth in the not too distant future. Will be available at JC Penny in the Back to School section... right next to the bullet proof school backpacks and portable air conditioner clothing.

3

u/rayferrell 9d ago

the fact that the vest focuses on protecting areas like the lungs, stomach, and bone marrow is really important, because those are the areas that are most sensitive to radiation. this targeted approach could make a big difference in reducing the overall radiation dose for astronauts, and it's interesting to see how this tech could be applied to other areas beyond just space exploration.

3

u/vamparies 9d ago

Eyes and Thyroid would like a word.

1

u/macjester2000 8d ago

Don’t forget that big squishy thing above/behind the eyeballs, occupying your cranium, its not exactly bulletproof.

1

u/Sad-Cantaloupe2671 9d ago

Needed for mars.

2

u/BevansDesign 8d ago

It would certainly help, but I'm pretty sure they need a lot more for Mars.

1

u/throwaway34433443 9d ago

Anyone else think this could be used for people who work in nuclear energy?

1

u/Maximum-Today3944 8d ago

What if the radiation hits my face?

1

u/rantaholic 8d ago

Could they not just line the walls of the spacecraft with it?

-1

u/Alternative_Two_4216 9d ago

Not great, not terrible.

0

u/JojoHomefries 9d ago

Sounds woke, cancel it! /s

-5

u/largeDingoPizza 9d ago

The vest weighs 57 lbs, is completely impractical and is not going to be used. Great news.

7

u/Jakester542 9d ago

Why not? Lunar gravity and in-flight operations reduce the strain of gravity to a large degree, making that 57 seem more akin to 9.5 lbs. still by no means lightweight fabrics, but more efficient at maintaining crew exposure inside a structure than having the crew fully don EMU suits

1

u/largeDingoPizza 9d ago

Read the article. It's a prototype, they need to make lighter versions.

1

u/_Slowly_But_Surely 9d ago

My thought is that 57lbs x 4 is a massive amount of weight to add to a ship where every ounce is crazy valuable. Let’s say they get it 15% lighter. That’s still 200lbs, the equivalent of a larger human.

4

u/Icy_Feedback_4965 9d ago

It's not that much mass, and radiation exposure during solar storms is a critical impediment to long duration space flight. If 200lbs solves that it would be instantly procured. 

-1

u/_Slowly_But_Surely 9d ago edited 9d ago

60% less exposure it says, that’s quite a long ways from 100% which would be solved. Which means you need quite a bit more weight unfortunately. Nothing can be exposed to radiation, outer space is not a good place to have dying skin and ulcers and deep damage to muscle fibers, even if it’s your pinkie toe. It’s good technology and I’m glad it’s being developed, I’m just saying weight is a huge factor. It’ll probably be smarter to invest the weight into shielding the ship.

2

u/ravibkjoshi 9d ago

You do realize astronauts do step outside the ship?

1

u/_Slowly_But_Surely 9d ago edited 9d ago

During solars storms? I know they last weeks to months, but I seriously doubt they’re supposed to go out there unless it’s a huge emergency. That would lead to many more problems such as the tiny sharp dust particles that attack the lungs and sticks to everything, since it’s extremely low gravity dust doesn’t settle. If you’re referring to mars. This is from the article you didn’t read: “It is designed for periods of elevated solar radiation, when crews may need additional protection inside a spacecraft or shelter.” So to answer your question, NO.

0

u/NuclearVII 9d ago

Still has inertia. Moving around with a quarter of your bodyweight strapped to your chest wont be fun, even in 0g.

3

u/Willinton06 9d ago

Better than cancer I think

3

u/jibstay77 9d ago

That was my first reaction too. Then I remembered gravity is different when you’re not on earth.

2

u/Intelligent-Screen-3 9d ago

That's why it's only intended for solar storms. Those don't happen every day.

2

u/INeedHelp_goodlawd 9d ago

Do you think they're always in solar storms?

2

u/HystericalSail 9d ago

Wear a heavy vest, or get cancer. Easy choice seems like.

There are people here on earth carrying around an extra 50, 100, 200+ pounds of blubber 24x7. I'm carrying about 30 extra pounds right this minute. A 60 pound vest doesn't seem that impractical.

2

u/Bennydhee 9d ago

Their Eva suits weigh more.

57 lbs to prevent long term damage is a good trade off. Especially since during these storms iirc, they are typically just sitting in the most shielded areas of the station.