There are many types of dangerous radiation in space. Astronauts
must be careful to remain safe and healthy. Spacewalks are
especially dangerous times for radiation exposure. Click on
image for full size Image courtesy of NASA. Radiation Dangers to
Astronauts Astronauts are exposed to many different types of
dangerous radiation in space. Space agencies, like NASA, must
carefully monitor the radiation exposure of astronauts to make
sure they remain safe and healthy. Earth's atmosphere and
magnetic field both serve as radiation shields for those of us
who are on Earth's surface. Most piloted space missions (ones
with astronauts aboard) "fly" in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), slightly
above Earth's atmosphere. Astronauts in LEO are still within the
protective bubble of Earth's magnetosphere, which deflects many
types of particle radiation. Astronauts are outside of the
protection of our atmosphere, however, and are thus at greater
risk of exposure to high-energy electromagnetic radiation
including ultraviolet "light", X