Instruments from Turku will measure radiation in the next space flight

If all goes according to plan, NASA’s Orion space capsule will launch on August 29. Orion is unmanned and is part of the so-called Artemis program, which eventually aims to get humans back on the moon again – for the first time since 1972.

Orion has five radiation monitors manufactured by ASRO (Aboa Space Research Oy) in Turku. They will record the levels of radiation that astronauts will be exposed to at different stages during future manned space missions within the Artemis program.

According to plans, five radiation monitors made by ASRO in Turku will be on board when the Orion spacecraft is launched in a few days.captive

“A spacecraft in Earth orbit is in a completely different environment than a space base built on the Moon, because the Earth’s magnetic field protects astronauts from the most harmful radiation. The environment on the Moon is more demanding, and based on the measurement results, NASA receives new information about what awaits Astronauts, says ASRO CEO Josie Lehti In a press release.

The company began planning the displays in 2018. The financial value of the delivery is about half a million euros, but according to Lahti, the significance is more than that.

– We are very proud that the best technology from Finland is part of a major international project.

The plan is for the launch to take place on August 29 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but the date may be moved forward.