Bone marrow cells are especially vulnerable to the protons of solar storms; finding a means to protect the hips, shoulders, spines, thighs, sternums, and skulls of astronauts may be vital to keeping them healthy in space.
Once outside the protection of Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, an astronaut is exposed to the full brunt of solar storms. The ideal solution in such a situation would be for the astronaut to take cover in some form of radiation shelter. But if a shelter is too far away to reach, a spacesuit with extra radiation shielding over marrow-rich areas could save the astronaut's life.
Even shielded, however, an astronaut could still develop long-term health problems such as cancer or cataracts and other maladies; it is impossible to shield against all solar protons.
Still, if the idea of proton shielding is approved, newer spacesuits may look different from older ones, with bulked up shoulders and hips, and bulbous helmets.
As long as I can remember, I have always been interested in science, math and health. The first magazine subscription I received was Popular Science. I signed up almost 40 years ago and still eagerly look forward to each issue.
I carefully followed the space program in the early '60s and clearly remember rejoicing while watching Neil Armstrong live (in black and white TV) landing on the moon in 1969. Becoming an astronaut seemed to be an appealing choice. So I set my goals and planned on entering the Air Force Academy and becoming a pilot with the intention of becoming an astronaut.
However, I became rapidly disillusioned with the U.S. military in my application process and decided in high school it would be wise to pursue my other passion -- health -- so I set my sights on medical school and I have absolutely no regrets.
But space tourism will become a big industry. Just about one year ago, the $10 million Ansari X prize was won by Space Ship One. Immediately afterward, Richard Branson partnered with Burt Ruttan to form Virgin Galactic, which is scheduled to offer flights into space in 2008 for $200,000. They already have more than 10,000 people who are interested in taking that flight.
While a quarter-million dollars seems like a lot to travel into space, it is a small fraction of what civilian astronauts have been paying. Earlier this year, space CEO Greg Olsen paid $20 million to fly into space and visit the International Space Station.
With what I know about health though, I would not let someone pay me $20 million to fly into space. I am far too concerned with the damage that radiation can produce.
You and I are designed to live in the protection of Earth's atmosphere and when we venture outside the protective envelope we are asking for problems. Commercial flight crews have shown us that they have a higher risk of cancer. This is depsite only flying seven miles high where they still retain the bulk of the atmosphere's protection.
It is my impression most medical professionals are clueless about energy medicine and have little to no appreciation of the dangers of radiation. This is true for X–rays and cell phones.
It seems obvious to me that losing your shielding to cosmic rays is not a wise move at this point in history. I do believe, however, science will eventually discover some type of effective shielding that may even exceed the protection of our atmosphere--but I don't see that happening in my lifetime. This NASA article above acknowledges much of the danger; cosmic radiation will affect your bone marrow.
However, it is my impression individual cellular damage and destruction is likely to be a more serious concern. Any way you roll it, even though my childhood dream was to become an astronaut, you will not see me on any space flight in the future.