![\"Scientists](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2020\/07\/fungus-chernobyl-protect-astronauts-cosmic-rays-300x158.jpg\")
<\/div>Space Shields<\/h2>
One of the biggest challenges facing crewed missions to Mars is figuring out how to protect crewmembers from the onslaught of deadly cosmic rays<\/a>.<\/p> Now, scientists at a number of universities say there’s growing evidence that an unusual solution could be effective: building shields out of a radiation-absorbing fungus that grows near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. New Scientist <\/a><\/em>reports<\/a> that the fungus was able to block some cosmic rays after a small test on the International Space Station, giving hope for safe space travel in the future.<\/p> The Johns Hopkins University and Stanford scientists behind the ISS study, which was shared online last week<\/a>, found that an extremely thin sample of the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans <\/em>was able to block and absorb two percent of the cosmic rays that hit it while it was on the ISS.<\/p> That’s certainly not enough to protect astronauts, but the sample in question was only two millimeters thick. A layer just 21 centimeters thick, the scientists say, would be enough to keep future Mars settlers safe.<\/p> The researchers also speculated about weaving some of the material into spacesuit fabric, New Scientist<\/em> reports, but the main draw of their work is that damaged fungus shields would be able to grow back.<\/p> “What makes the fungus great is that you only need a few grams to start out,” Stanford researcher and study co-author Nils Averesch told New Scientist<\/em>. “It self-replicates and self-heals, so even if there’s a solar flare that damages the radiation shield significantly, it will be able to grow back in a few days.”<\/p> READ MORE: <\/strong>Mould from Chernobyl nuclear reactor tested as radiation shield on ISS<\/a> [New Scientist<\/em>]<\/p> More on cosmic radiation: <\/strong>NASA Is Sending Dummies Around the Moon To Test Cosmic Radiation<\/a><\/em><\/p> The post Fungus Growing at Chernobyl Could Protect Astronauts From Cosmic Rays<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> More: Space Shields One of the biggest challenges facing crewed missions to Mars is figuring out how to protect crewmembers from the onslaught of deadly cosmic rays . Now, scientists at a number of universities say there\u2019s growing evidence that an unusual solution could be effective: building shields out of a radiation-absorbing fungus that grows near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. New Scientist reports that the fungus was able to block some cosmic rays after a small test on the International Space Station, giving hope for safe space travel in the future Continue reading Light Armor<\/h2>
Easy Installation<\/h2>
Fungus Growing at Chernobyl Could Protect Astronauts From Cosmic Rays<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"