Artemis II: Into the Path of Solar Eruptions

Narration: Joy Ng

Transcript:

Eruptions from the Sun can release more energy than a billion hydrogen bombs.

And astronauts are about to head straight into this harsh domain.

During NASA’s Artemis II mission, astronauts will leave Earth’s protective magnetic field to travel around the Moon.

Out there, they’ll be exposed to some of the harshest elements in space.

Including swarms of energetic particles from huge solar eruptions speeding across the solar system.

If astronauts aren’t prepared, these particles could put them at increased risk of developing cancers and other health problems.

So, during their 10-day journey, NASA and NOAA are monitoring the Sun 24/7 with spacecraft across the solar system.

By tracking the direction and strength of eruptions in real time, scientists can see if energetic particles from the Sun will cross paths with the astronauts, exposing them to radiation.

Radiation exposure is measured inside the Orion spacecraft with sensors, and each astronaut also wears a personal radiation tracker.

So, what happens if a solar storm strikes?

If radiation levels become dangerous, astronauts take shelter.

They reconfigure the cabin by stacking equipment and materials around the spacecraft to add extra shielding.

The more mass they have between themselves and the incoming particles, the better protected they are.

As astronauts travel into deep space for the first time in more than 50 years, we’ll be watching the Sun to keep them safe.