Solar Activity Could Threaten the Artemis Crew

A solar outburst releases charged particles that travel rapidly out through the Solar System. These solar storms pose hazards for astronauts and satellites in space, and can damage Earth-based communications and other technologies. Protecting the Artemis astronauts from these storms during the mission is a primary goal of NASA and NOAA. Credit: NASA/JSC/Goddard

In his blockbuster 1982 novel "Space", the writer James A. Michener wove a gripping tale of astronauts trapped on the Moon during a major solar storm. Warnings from Earth didn't come soon enough to save them from death by radiation sickness. To avoid such a tragedy happening with the Artemis crews (as with the Apollo crews of the past), NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will monitor the Sun. If it acts up, the teams will be able to send warnings and instructions to the Artemis crews to pro tect them.

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