Va. students help NASA tackle radiation problem

BROCK VERGAKIS
Associated Press

HAMPTON, Va. (AP) — A team of high school students from Virginia is helping NASA find a way to protect astronauts from radiation.

Figuring out a way to protect astronauts from cosmic radiation is one of the primary challenges NASA has when it comes to sending humans into deep space.

In April, a group of five students from the Governor’s School for Science and Technology in Hampton won a global competition to design a shield that will fly into space aboard the Orion spacecraft on its maiden voyage later this year.

During its flight, Orion will travel through the Allen Belt, a dense radiation field that surrounds the Earth.

Their cube-like structure will carry radiation detection devices to see if their shield design works as they designed it.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up