Out of this world research

From sunscreen labels to hospital walls, radiation warnings are everywhere — but radiation isn't the danger we think it is.

"At a basic level, radiation is just transmitting energy through space and time," Amir Bahadori, professor and director of the nuclear engineering program, said.

While radiation isn't inherently harmful, exposure to it is. In outer space, that danger is only amplified, limiting long-duration missions. K-State is working to change that.

 

With access to K-State's TRIGA Mark II reactor, Bahadori and his team are tackling one of the most critical challenges in space exploration, radiation exposure, by simulating space conditions on Earth.

Using high-energy neutrons produced by the reactor, the nuclear engineering team can study not only how to shield spacecraft from radiation, but also how to deflect it before it interacts with the spacecraft altogether.

"Radiation is viewed as one of the things that is really limiting our ability to go on long-duration missions to the moon, Mars or even beyond," Bahadori said. "I think it's very important that we develop those techniques and try to figure out ways that we can protect people."