Radiation Shielding Protocol: Helga and Zohar Orbital Analysis
During the Artemis I mission, two specialized phantoms, Helga and Zohar, navigated lunar space to test the efficacy of the AstroRad radiation protection vest.
Mission Parameters
Analysis of the Artemis I mission profile confirms that the Orion spacecraft successfully transported two female-coded phantoms, designated Helga and Zohar, into deep space. According to ESA YouTube, this experiment was designed to quantify biological radiation risks beyond the protection of Earth's magnetic field.
The MARE Experiment
The Matroshka AstroRad Radiation Experiment (MARE) utilized identical mannequins constructed from materials simulating human tissue, bone, and organs. Despite their structural parity, the two units were deployed with a critical variable: Zohar was equipped with the AstroRad protective vest, while Helga remained shielded only by the spacecraft’s hull.
Data Acquisition
Each phantom contained over 5,600 passive sensors and 34 active radiation detectors. These instruments mapped radiation absorption patterns across sensitive anatomical regions, specifically focusing on the lungs, stomach, and reproductive organs. By comparing the dosages recorded by the shielded Zohar versus the control unit, Helga, researchers can determine the exact protection factor provided by the vest against solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays.
Operational Outlook
Preliminary data from this lunar flyby is essential for the safety of future crewed missions. The objective is to validate whether specialized shielding can mitigate the long-term health risks associated with deep-space transit, ensuring that female astronauts—who are statistically at a higher risk for radiation-induced complications—are adequately protected for the upcoming Artemis II and III surface missions.