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Mitigating Radiation Effects on Humans During Space Travel: Recent Developments

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Handbook of Space Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Outside Earth’s magnetic field, specifically beyond low Earth orbit, human experiences detrimental effect of space radiations like Galactic cosmic rays, solar particle events, solar flare, geometrically trapped ions, and intravehicular secondary radiations. The risk includes degenerative tissue effects from radiation exposures, space radiation-based carcinogenesis, central nervous system effects from space radiation, and radiation syndrome due to solar particle events. It depends on altitude above the Earth, solar cycle, individual susceptibility, amount and type of radiation, shielding provided, and mission duration. Considering all these aspects, various technologies have been developed such as designing of spacecraft and spacesuits to reduce the harmful effect of space radiations on astronauts. Hence, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals have been studied to mitigate these impacts. This chapter focuses on recent advances and novel studies based on traditional technologies to mitigate risks associated with space radiations.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest that can affect the work reported in this chapter.

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Correspondence to Lalit Kumar .

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Shetgaonkar, G.G., Kumar, L. (2022). Mitigating Radiation Effects on Humans During Space Travel: Recent Developments. In: Pathak, Y., Araújo dos Santos, M., Zea, L. (eds) Handbook of Space Pharmaceuticals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50909-9_53-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50909-9_53-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-50909-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-50909-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Chemistry and Mat. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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