---
title: "NASA Is Sending Dummies Around the Moon to Test Cosmic Radiation"
description: "NASA is about to test a prototype cosmic radiation-blocking vest by strapping it to a dummy and sending ti around the Moon."
date: "2019-12-02"
modified: "2019-12-02"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-sending-dummies-moon-test-cosmic-radiation"
categories:
  - "Astronomy"
  - "Moon"
  - "Science & Energy"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "artemis"
  - "cosmic radiation"
  - "NASA"
  - "space"
  - "the digest"
---

# NASA Is Sending Dummies Around the Moon to Test Cosmic Radiation

![NASA is about to test a prototype cosmic radiation-blocking vest by strapping it to a dummy and sending ti around the Moon.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/nasa-sending-dummies-moon-test-cosmic-radiation.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: DLR/ISA/Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Space Canary

NASA plans to test a new cosmic radiation-blocking vest next year by sending a pair of dummies on a trip around the Moon.

One of the main obstacles for long-term space travel is the [dangerous levels of radiation](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/mars-radiation-mouse-brains>) from the Sun and deep space that would constantly blast astronauts. By measuring how well its new vest, StemRad, protects one of the two dummies, *[Space.com ](<https://www.space.com/phantom-dummy-stemrad-radiation-vest-artemis-mission.html>)*[reports](<https://www.space.com/phantom-dummy-stemrad-radiation-vest-artemis-mission.html>) that NASA will be better prepared to once more send humans to the surface of the Moon.

## Artemis Prep

The StemRad vest looks vaguely like what a dentist drapes over a patient before x-raying their mouth. It's specifically designed to shield a woman's torso and block particularly-sensitive body parts like the stomach, lunges, and bone marrow, according to *Space.com**,* but it can be adjusted to fit a man's body as well.

By strapping it onto a dummy and launching it into space, NASA will get a better idea of how to protect the woman astronauts it [sends to the Moon](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-moon-program-name>) on its planned 2024 mission, *Space.com* reports. While the unfortunate, unprotected dummy bears the full brunt of the cosmic rays, the other will — hopefully — enjoy a smooth journey thanks to its new 57-pound vest.

**READ MORE:** ['Phantom' Vest-Wearing Dummies to Fly Around the Moon](<https://www.space.com/phantom-dummy-stemrad-radiation-vest-artemis-mission.html>) \[*Space.com*\]

**More on cosmic radiation:** *[European Space Agency: Radiation Will Make Mars Mission Deadly](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/space-radiation-mars-mission-deadly>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)