Radiation’s Effect on Astronauts

Showing NASA how different cells respond to radiation could help the agency build better equipment. Hannah Lyons

How will radiation affect astronauts who travel to Mars? UW–Madison postdoc Kaylin Didier and Professor Bill Schrage in the UW School of Education’s Department of Kinesiology are exploring that question, thanks to a NASA grant. Didier exposed immune cells in flasks to proton radiation, which is the type predominately encountered in space travel.

Radiation exposure can have numerous physical effects, from nausea and burns to cell damage and an increased likelihood of cancer. Showing NASA how different cells respond to radiation could help the agency build better equipment, such as radiation shields, as well as potential medical interventions before, during, and after traveling to Mars.

“It’s exciting to be a part of something that will benefit all astronauts as they prepare for the journey to Mars and to support their long-term health when they return home,” Didier says.

Didier used cells taken from both men and women to help determine how radiation might affect astronauts’ immune cells differently. She hopes that the research will also help people closer to home — for instance, patients undergoing proton radiation treatment for cancer.

Published in the Spring 2025 issue