Health Impacts of Radiation in Space and Countermeasures

Space radiation poses one of the most significant health risks for long-duration space missions, with
cancer, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular issues among the primary concerns (Patel et al., 2020). Since
the Apollo mission, the biological effects of space radiation on humans and the linked specific mechanisms
remain incompletely understood, with no direct evidence linking space radiation exposure to specific
health outcomes in astronauts with two notable exceptions: reduced latency to cataract formation and
light flash phenomena experienced during Apollo missions and South Atlantic Anomaly crossings. As
humanity prepares for ambitious missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, mitigating the long-term risks
associated with galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and solar particle events (SPE) is crucial. This chapter
explores the latest findings on space radiation effects on human health and highlights the current
knowledge gaps in human space radiation biology. Lastly, this chapter discusses emerging
countermeasures that may help safeguard astronaut health in future deep-space missions. As NASA and
other space agencies venture into deep space, it is critical to balance the promise of gene-editing
interventions with their societal and ethical implications, particularly when these space-faring humans
return to Earth or in the context of generational effects. Hence, we hope to shed some light by evaluating
the feasibility and acceptability of such interventions, ensuring that future countermeasures align with
both mission objectives, ethical standards, and the well-being of space explorers.