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The thought that radiation would kill the astronauts on their way to the moon rests on a misunderstanding of radiation in space. It is true that the sun can release intense bursts of radiation, but not all radiation is harmful. Radiation from the sun can be measured in terms of solar particle energies. These range in intensity. The low energy particles, which measure in the thousands of electron volts, can easily be stopped by a space-craft's hull or a space suit. At the other end of the scale, the very high energy particles (over 1000 million electron volts) can pass right through a space-craft and the people on board without actually interacting with their body cells. The most dangerous particle energy level sits somewhere in the middle (in the millions of electron volts). During a solar flare, particles at all energy levels are produced and this can be very dangerous for astronauts. Fortunately, solar flares do not occur everyday and they do not send particles out in all directions.
An understanding of radiation in space shows us that an astronaut on a trip to the moon will not necessarily be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. Of course, this is not to say that there are no risks. A solar flare in the wrong direction could do serious harm to an astronaut. But such flares are not everyday occurrences. Furthermore, being exposed to a high dose of radiation does not guarantee illness, cancer, or death. It merely raises the probability. It is possible for an astronaut to live a long healthy life after being exposed to radiation levels produced during a solar flare.
For the Apollo missions specifically:
- The trajectory of the spacecraft was not a straight line between the earth and the moon. It was arced. They did this in order to avoid the densest area of radiation in the van Allen belts.
- At the speed the capsule was travelling, the crew spent far less time inside the belts than the amount of time needed to give them a lethal dose.
- There are different types of radiation, wave and particle. Wave radiation requires the most shielding, sometimes very thick shielding depending on the wavelength (for example, UV radiation is wave radiation, but can be blocked by a thin sheet of plastic like sunglasses, whereas gamma radiation requires several inches of lead). Particle radiation, in comparison, is much easier to shield against. Alpha particles can't even penetrate the top layer of dead skin cells on the human body. Proton and Beta particles can both be shielded against using a centimeter or so High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Plastic.
- The Van Allen belts consist primarily of Proton Particle radiation, which, as noted above, can be effectively shielded against using HDPE plastic.
- The Command Module was built using materials that could shield particle radiation
- Summary: The mission was planned to go through the weakest, least dense section of radiation, in the shortest amount of time, with shielding built into the module. NASA spent a lot of time and money mitigating the problems presented by the radiation belts. The money was well spent.
What else can I help you with?
How many astronauts walked on the moon during each Apollo moon mission?
A total of 12 astronauts walked on the moon , two in each mission.
What is put man on the moon?
N.A.S.A has put the astronauts on the moon.
What are the astronauts' achievements?
The early Soyuz and Mercury astronauts found out that man could survive in space. That meant eating, sleeping, going to the bathroom, and even manipulating the spacecraft in space. Astronauts on both sides of the Space Race found out in the mid 1960s that man could work outside the spacecraft with proper restraints. Gemini astronauts performed the first rendezvous and docking in space, an important milestone in reaching the moon. The Apollo astronauts achieved the first manned flight to the moon, showing that man can survive a trip through the Van Allen Belt. Apollo 11 showed man could land on the moon and return safely to the earth. Astronauts on Soviet space stations, Mir, Skylab, and the Space Shuttle showed that man can survive in space for months at a time. They also built the International Space Station, and continue making advances in all scientific areas.
Why have astronomers only been on the moon?
Only astronauts have been to the moon.
This man first viewd the craters of the moon?
Apollo 8 astronauts were the first to view the cratrs on the moon, Apollo 11 astronauts had a vey close view as they walked on the moon.
Do astronauts get to take water and food to the moon?
Yes, in order to survive.
How many astronauts died on the moon?
No astronauts have died on the moon. All astronauts who have traveled to the moon returned safely to Earth.
Does the moon have radiation on the surface?
Yes, the moon's surface is exposed to cosmic radiation from space due to its lack of atmosphere to shield it. The radiation levels on the moon's surface are higher than on Earth, but astronauts are protected by their spacesuits and spacecraft when exploring the lunar surface.
Did neil armstrong edwin and micheal survive from apollo11 moon landing?
Yes the three astronauts all survived the Apollo 11 moon mission.
What was the name of the astronauts that littered the moon?
No astronauts littered the moon.
How can astronauts protect from radiation?
Astronauts can be protected from radiation by their suits. The space suits are designed for it only.
How did the astronauts survive the heat in the pictures because the sun is shining?
by not going to the moon at all and taking the pictures somewhere else
Do astronauts go through deadly and perilous radiation belts going to the moon?
No, there are no "Radiation belts between the Earth and Moon. However. they do travel through the "Van Allen Belt". this is a "Belt" created by the earth's magnetic field that shields the earth from the some of the ratiation of the Sun and outerspace. Once an astronaut is outside of this "Belt" they are exposed to a higher level of radiation. The Van Allen Belt is highest at the earth's equator and lowest at the earths poles.
What did astronauts live on the moon?
While on the moon the astronauts lived in their lunar module.
How many Apollo astronauts were on the moon?
There were a total of 12 astronauts who walked on the moon.
The statement that astronauts on the Moon are weightless is?
The statement that astronauts on the Moon are weightless is true.
Why do astronauts have to be securely safe on the moon?
I'm not really sure what you're asking, but the astronauts live on the moon in much the same way that man lives underwater. They have to take everything with them to survive including food, water, oxygen and a method to purify the air.
