The problem of the radiation barrier during piloted interplanetary flights

Abstract

The concept of radiation risk to human interplanetary flights is proposed and substantiated. As opposed to traditional approaches, which associate radiation risk to crews mostly with late development of tumor processes in the organism, the notion successful mission outcome probability is introduced. The probability of radiation damage under these conditions is considered mainly as a result of the action of heavy nuclei of galactic cosmic rays on structures of the central nervous system, which may lead to changes in the higher integrative functions of the brain, causing degradation of operator performance.