NASA Artemis I Data Finds Smaller Radiation Gap Near Moon

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Preliminary measurements from NASA’s uncrewed Artemis I mission found radiation near the Moon higher than in low Earth orbit, though the difference was smaller than expected. During its 2022 flight around the Moon, Orion carried more than 10,000 tiny crystal detectors inside two human-shaped mannequins. New lithium fluoride detectors from Poland’s Institute of Nuclear Physics matched conventional detectors within 15% and recorded weaker particles that older devices missed. ScienceDaily described the findings, published this month in Radiation Measurements.  Disclosure: This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.

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00:00How much radiation would astronauts face near the moon?

00:03NASA's Artemis A mission is helping answer that.

00:05On its uncrewed 2022 flight,

00:08Orion carried more than 10,000 tiny crystals inside two human-shaped mannequins.

00:13Several dozen were new detectors built by scientists in Poland.

00:16When radiation passes through, the crystals record each particle's track.

00:21Under blue light, those tracks glow red under a microscope.

00:24Their readings came within 15% of conventional detectors.

00:27And they caught weaker particles that older detectors missed.

00:31Here's the surprise.

00:33In low Earth orbit, much of an astronaut's dose

00:36comes from protons trapped in Earth's radiation belts.

00:39Those belts don't reach the moon.

00:41So while the total dose near the moon is higher,

00:44the gap is smaller than expected.

00:46The radiation also spread almost evenly through the mannequins.

00:50Tiny detectors like these could help protect crews on future moon missions.

00:54Disclosure.

00:55This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.

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