Radiation would nix sex in space: NASA
February 15th, 2011 - 4:06 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Feb 15 (IANS) Cosmic radiation hitting human bodies would nix sex in space, NASA scientists assert.
Researchers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Ames Research Centre found that without effective shielding, powerful proton particles would probably sterilise any female embryo conceived in deep space, the Journal of Cosmology reports.
They also concluded that radiation would affect male fertility, with the particles damaging the sperm count, the Telegraph reports.
Given that travel to distant planets is likely to take decades, centuries or even longer, this could make any mission to colonise other environments a non-starter.
Tore Straume, radiation biophysicist at the Ames Centre, said: “The present shielding capabilities would probably preclude having a pregnancy transited to Mars.”
DNA, which manages the development of all the cells in the body, is particularly susceptible to the kinds of radiation found in space.
Studies on animals have shown that exposure to ionising radiation can kill egg cells in a female foetus as far on as the second or third trimester.
NASA has a strict code of conduct on sexual relations, stating that “relationships of trust” among astronauts are to be maintained at all times.
- Why sex in space could be a bad idea - Feb 12, 2011
- Astronauts could face heart problems with deep-space travel - Apr 08, 2011
- NASA's Mars rover begins research in space - Dec 14, 2011
- Too much radiation might prevent astronauts to make it to Mars - Sep 17, 2009
- NASA's 'Hundred Years Starship' 'to take you to Mars but never return' - Oct 28, 2010
- New method tracks radiation levels faster - Nov 09, 2011
- Mars rover begins space research - Dec 14, 2011
- Japan's nuclear crisis could create serious health problems - Mar 18, 2011
- Crab Nebula shoots off surprising flares - Jan 07, 2011
- How Sun steals Martian atmosphere - Oct 06, 2010
- Supernova remnant erupts in enormous flares - May 12, 2011
- Sun's 'killer flare' won't end earth in 2012: NASA - Nov 13, 2011
- Cancer warning on cell phones? - Apr 22, 2010
- Breakthrough fertility technique could herald end of 'biological clock' - Sep 15, 2010
- NASA captures solar flare on video - Jun 09, 2011
Tags: ames research, biophysicist, cosmic radiation, distant planets, egg cells, female embryo, human bodies, kinds of radiation, london feb, male fertility, nasa scientists, national aeronautics and space, national aeronautics and space administration, sex in space, sexual relations, space nasa, space studies, sperm count, strict code, third trimester