| Bone marrow cells are especially vulnerable to the | | | | won by Space Ship One. Immediately afterward, |
| protons of solar storms; finding a means to protectthe | | | | Richard Branson partnered with Burt Ruttan to form |
| hips, shoulders, spines, thighs, sternums, and skulls of | | | | Virgin Galactic, which is scheduled to offer flights into |
| astronauts may be vital to keeping them healthy in | | | | space in 2008 for $200,000. They already have more |
| space. | | | | than 10,000 people who are interested in taking that |
| Once outside the protection of Earth's magnetic field | | | | flight. |
| and atmosphere, an astronaut is exposed to the full | | | | While a quarter-million dollars seems like a lot to travel |
| brunt of solar storms. The ideal solution in such a | | | | into space, it is a small fraction of what civilian |
| situation would be for the astronaut to take cover in | | | | astronauts have been paying. Earlier this year, space |
| some form of radiation shelter. But if a shelter is too | | | | CEO Greg Olsen paid $20 million to fly into space and |
| far away to reach, a spacesuit with extra radiation | | | | visit the International Space Station. |
| shielding over marrow-rich areas could save the | | | | With what I know about health though, I would notlet |
| astronaut's life. | | | | someone pay me$20 million to fly into space. I am far |
| Even shielded, however, an astronaut could still | | | | too concerned with the damage that radiation can |
| develop long-term health problems such as cancer or | | | | produce. |
| cataracts and other maladies; it is impossible to shield | | | | You and Iare designed to live in the protection of |
| against all solar protons. | | | | Earth's atmosphere and when we venture outside the |
| Still, if the idea of proton shielding is approved, newer | | | | protective envelope we are asking for |
| spacesuits may look different from older ones, with | | | | problems.Commercial flight crews have shown us that |
| bulked up shoulders and hips, and bulbous helmets. | | | | they have a higher risk of cancer. This is depsiteonly |
| NASA Science October 26, 2005 | | | | flyingseven miles high where theystill retain the bulk of |
| Dr. Mercola's Comment:As long asI can remember, | | | | the atmosphere's protection. |
| Ihave always beeninterested in science, math and | | | | It is my impression most medical professionals are |
| health. The first magazine subscription Ireceived | | | | clueless about energy medicine and have little to no |
| wasPopular Science. I signed up almost 40 years ago | | | | appreciation of the dangers of radiation. This is true for |
| and still eagerly look forward to each issue. | | | | X-rays and cell phones. |
| I carefully followed the space program in the early '60s | | | | It seems obvious to me that losing your shielding to |
| and clearly remember rejoicing while watching Neil | | | | cosmic rays is not a wise move at this point in history. I |
| Armstrong live (in black and white TV)landing on the | | | | do believe, however, science will eventually discover |
| moon in 1969. Becoming an astronaut seemed to be | | | | some type of effective shielding that may even |
| an appealing choice. So I set my goals and planned on | | | | exceed the protection of our atmosphere--but I don't |
| entering the Air Force Academy and becoming a pilot | | | | see that happening in my lifetime. This NASA article |
| withthe intention of becoming an astronaut. | | | | aboveacknowledges much of the danger; cosmic |
| However, I became rapidly disillusioned with the U.S. | | | | radiation will affect your bone marrow. |
| military in my application process and decided in high | | | | However, it is my impression individual cellular damage |
| school it would be wise to pursue my other passion -- | | | | and destruction is likely to be a more serious concern. |
| health -- so I set my sights on medical school and I | | | | Any way you roll it, even though my childhood dream |
| have absolutely no regrets. | | | | was to become an astronaut, you will not see me on |
| But space tourism will become a big industry. Just | | | | any space flight in the future. |
| about one year ago, the $10 million Ansari X prize was | | | | |