Effect of galactic cosmic radiation on bone microstructural strength

Abstract

NASA has been looking into new technology for long duration space flight to Mars. Space travel has many unknowns and dangers that are both visible and invisible. Once outside of Earth's radiation shielding atmosphere, astronauts are exposed to different forms of space radiation. A form of ionizing radiation called Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCR) is most common. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove electrons from orbit around their nucleus, therefore changing the chemical composition of a substance. When GCR passes through humans, there is a possibility for radiation for radiation to alter the composition of the bone. Previous studies have shown that clinical radiation greatly increases a patient’s chance of a fracture around the treatment area. These studies found that fracture was 65, 66, and 214% more likely in patients with cervical, rectal, and anal cancer when radiation therapy was used instead of non-radiation treatments. Determining the effect of GCR on the structural integrity of bone is necessary for the safety of astronauts. This study will use Finite Element Analysis to determine if there is a relationship between GCR and structural integrity of bone.