Astronaut Office Chief Says "We're Not Going Anywhere" Unless Cosmic Radiation Problem is Solved

In answer to a question from Augustine panel member Charlie Kennel today, Steve Lindsey, chief of NASA’s astronaut office, replied that “We’re not going anywhere” beyond low Earth orbit unless solutions are found to protecting humans from exposure to cosmic radiation.

The Augustine panel is holding a public meeting today in League City, TX (webcast available on NASA TV’s media channel — www.nasa.gov/ntv and choose “media channel”). Mr. Lindsey noted that already there are astronauts he cannot assign to ISS missions because they would exceed radiation exposure limits. Dr. Kennel pointed out that exposure to cosmic radiation on missions beyond low Earth orbit would be higher and poses a significant long term risk. Mr. Lindsey agreed saying “This is a serious problem and we have to go solve it or we’re not going anywhere.”