Long-Time Elastic Modulus of Rat Femurs Exposed to Radiation Using Microindentation

Abstract

NASA has trips to both the Moon and Mars on their itinerary for the near future. Health and safety of the astronauts is of the upmost importance for the missions. Bone loss, or osteoporosis, is a known risk of space travel from microgravity and radiation1. Understanding the full extent of bone loss can help astronauts and humans on Earth exposed to clinical radiation therapy. This study investigates the changes in the Lone-Time, or Relaxed Elastic Modulus of bone after exposure to Proton Radiation with spherical microindentation.