The effects of space weather and radiation are not limited to people on Earth—they also pose important risks for astronauts in space.
In 1991, Helen Sharman became the first British person to travel into space, spending eight days aboard the Mir space station.
During her mission, she was shown where to take shelter if dangerous space weather affected the space station.
Sharman explained that the crew was exposed to radiation from outside our solar system, known as galactic cosmic rays.
“Galactic cosmic rays pass through spacecraft materials,” Sharman said.
“They can pass through an astronaut’s skin and eyes. Astronauts sometimes see small, bright flashes of light because these particles travel through the spacecraft, the body and the eyes, affecting their vision.”
“The farther away you travel from Earth and its magnetic field, the less protection you have from space radiation.
“Astronauts in low Earth orbit are generally well protected. However, we must seriously consider how to protect astronauts from radiation during future missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk