Ground-Based Research Will Simulate Space Radiation Levels

NASA's Human Research Program will fund 11 ground-based research proposals using beams of high-energy, heavy ions to simulate space radiation to better understand the risks this radiation poses to humans.

The proposals were in response to the research announcement, "Ground-Based Studies in Space Radiobiology." The selected proposals are from 11 institutions in eight states, which will receive a total of about $13.8 million during a one- to four-year period.

These studies will help advance human exploration of space while limiting risks from space radiation. The research will employ new experimental approaches in understanding space radiation risks of cancer, heart and circulatory disease and long-term cognitive function. These studies will be conducted at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory of the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, N.Y.

The Human Research Program is managed by the Space Life and Physical Sciences Division in NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate.

FMI: http://go.nasa.gov/1dPiixl