NASA will launch a radiation protection suit developed in Israel into space

A unique suit to protect astronauts from space radiation, developed by the Israeli company Stemrad, will be launched into space as part of the experiments and preparations for the trip to Mars, carrying the Israeli flag

A unique suit to protect astronauts from space radiation, developed by the Israeli company Stemrad, will be launched into space as part of the experiments and preparations for the journey to Mars, carrying the Israeli flag. The Israel Space Agency in the Ministry of Science signed an agreement with NASA to launch the suit on the test flight into deep space as part of a feasibility study for a trip to Mars. The agreement will be signed by the Director of the Israel Space Agency in the Ministry of Science Avi Blasberger and the head of NASA Robert Lightfoot as part of the Space Symposium in Colorado.

According to Minister of Science and Technology Ofir Akunis: "Israeli entrepreneurs are known all over the world for their innovation and thinking outside the box. We are proud to pave the way for entrepreneurs and allow them to integrate first-of-its-kind Israeli technology in one of the most fascinating experiments in recent years. This is a wonderful gift for the events of the 70th celebration of the State of Israel."

The suit, "Astro-Rad", was developed by the Israeli company StemRad, founded by Dr. Oren Milstein, and is based on the principle of selective protection of the bone marrow and the lungs, chest, stomach, colon and ovaries - organs that are particularly sensitive to the formation of cancer due to exposure to radiation.

The suit is made of hydrogen-rich materials and is worn on the upper body similar to a vest. Since women are particularly sensitive to radiation, the suit was first adapted to women. The suit was developed following the success of the company's first product - a special belt that protects the bone marrow in the hip pelvis, which is very common among "first responders" in the world. StemRad is partnering with Lockheed Martin to adapt the suit's technology for use in space.

The agreement with NASA follows on from the agreement signed about a year ago between the Israeli Space Agency and the German Space Agency to test the suit's resistance to the effects of radiation in deep space and the degree to which it is absorbed by the human body. As part of this agreement, the Germans will provide "Matroshka", a blood doll containing thousands of radiation detectors, which will be launched as part of the first test flight of the "Orion" spacecraft, which is currently being built by NASA, to around the moon.

The matryoshka will be dressed in a suit developed by the Israeli company, next to a "matryoshka" without a suit for comparison. About a month later, when the spacecraft returns to Earth, the team will be able to examine the level of radiation absorbed by it and its effectiveness compared to the second dummy, and make adjustments to the suit as required.

In addition to this, the suit, which also carries the Israeli flag, is expected to be launched in the second half of 2019 to the International Space Station as part of NASA's supply cargo to the station, where the astronauts will wear it. The astronauts will walk with it for periods of time in their daily life and even sleep with it to test its comfort and suitability for performing various operations.

With that, the company hopes, the suit's journey across the universe is not over. The flight around the moon is considered critical preparation for the next manned flights of Orion. The ambition is that the suit will also be included in the first manned flight of the Orion spacecraft as well as in the future journey to Mars.

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