Radiation
What's one thing on Earth that protects people from much of the radiation in space?
Earth's atmosphere / magnetic field.
What does isolation mean during a space mission?
Being separated from family, friends, society, and familiar surroundings for an extended period.
Approximately how far is Mars from Earth on average?
About 140 million miles.
About what fraction of Earth's gravity does Mars have?
One-third.
What is a closed environment?
A controlled living space where conditions such as air, water, temperature, and lighting must be managed.
Name one possible long-term health effect of exposure to high levels of space radiation.
Increased risk of cancer / heart disease / cataracts.
What is a circadian rhythm?
The body's natural clock that helps control sleep and wakefulness.
How long can a message take to travel ONE WAY between Earth and Mars?
Up to 20 minutes.
Why can astronauts lose muscle strength during long periods in space?
Their muscles do not have to work against gravity in the same way they do on Earth.
Why can microbes become a concern in a spacecraft?
In a closed habitat, microbes can pass more easily from person to person, potentially creating health risks.
What's one source of space radiation mentioned in the reading?
Particles trapped in Earth's magnetic field / energetic particles from the Sun / galactic cosmic rays.
Name one psychological challenge astronauts might experience when living in a small spacecraft for months.
Stress, loneliness, boredom, anxiety, frustration, or depression.
Why must astronauts bring enough food and medicine for their entire mission?
Because astronauts cannot easily replace them during the journey.
Why might astronauts have difficulty with balance after returning to Earth?
Their muscles and bones may have weakened, and their balance and coordination may have changed. Their bodies need time to readapt.
Name two things NASA monitors or manages to keep a spacecraft safe and comfortable.
Air quality, temperature, water, lighting, living space, and potentially harmful gases. Any three.
Give TWO methods NASA uses to reduce astronauts' exposure to radiation.
Developing radiation shielding and materials / monitoring exposure / using carefully planning missions to reduce exposure.
Give TWO activities or strategies that may be used to help astronauts manage isolation.
Learning a language or new skill / using virtual reality, caring for a space garden / journaling / supporting privacy and living space / using special lighting. Any two.
If a message takes 20 minutes to travel from Mars to Earth, how long could it take to receive a reply after Earth responds immediately?
At least 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes for the message to reach Earth and another 20 minutes for the reply to return.
Name TWO physical problems astronauts may experience because of changing gravity conditions.
Balance problems / coordination difficulties / dizziness, space motion sickness / muscle loss / vision problems. Any two.
What two types of samples might NASA collect to study astronauts' immune systems?
Blood and saliva samples.
Why are longer missions to the Moon and Mars a greater radiation concern than shorter missions?
Astronauts spend more time exposed to space radiation, potentially receiving a greater total amount.
An astronaut begins withdrawing from the rest of the crew and stops participating in group activities. Explain why this could become a serious problem for the entire mission.
Isolation could affect teamwork, communication, decision-making, and overall crew performance. It could also affect the safety of the mission.
Why does NASA train astronauts to perform medical tests on each other?
Since communication with Earth may be delayed, astronauts may need to be able to identify and respond to medical problems.
An astronaut exercises regularly but still experiences changes in vision and balance. Does this mean the exercise is useless?
No. Exercise helps maintain bones, muscles, and heart health, but it cannot prevent every effect of changing gravity. NASA also needs to monitor other aspects of astronauts' health.
Why might astronauts be quarantined before launching into space?
To reduce the chance of bringing an illness into the spacecraft and exposing the crew to infection.