Beyond Earthly Limits: Protection against Cosmic Radiation through Biological Response Pathways

TL;DR

This paper reviews biological effects of cosmic radiation on living organisms during space travel and proposes biological intervention strategies, emphasizing the need for dedicated research facilities to develop protective measures.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of using biological response pathways for radiation protection and advocates for establishing a dedicated international laboratory for space radiation research.

Findings

Biological response pathways can potentially mitigate cosmic radiation effects.

Current research emphasizes understanding impacts rather than protective solutions.

Proposal for a new international laboratory to simulate cosmic radiation.

Abstract

The upcoming phase of space exploration not only includes trips to Mars and beyond, but also holds great promise for human progress. However, the harm caused by cosmic radiation, consisting of Galactic Cosmic Rays and Solar Particle Events, is an important safety concern for astronauts and other living things that will accompany them. Research exploring the biological effects of cosmic radiation includes experiments conducted in space itself and in simulated space environments on Earth. Notably, NASA's Space Radiation Laboratory has taken significant steps forward in simulating cosmic radiation by using particle accelerators and is currently pioneering the progress in this field. Curiously, much of the research emphasis thus far has been on understanding how cosmic radiation impacts living organisms, instead of finding ways to help them resist the radiation. In this paper, we briefly talk about current research on the biological effects of cosmic radiation and propose possible protective measures through biological interventions. In our opinion, biological response pathways responsible for coping with stressors on Earth can provide effective solutions for protection against the stress caused by cosmic radiation. We also recommend establishing the Dedicated International Accelerator Laboratory for Space Travel related radiation research (DIAL-ST) to advance this field and evaluate protective biological pathways through particle accelerator experiments simulating cosmic radiation.