Zahlavi

Martin Kákona commented on the Artemis II mission

17. 04. 2026

Martin Kákona from the Department of Radiation Dosimetry of the Nuclear Physics Institute of the CAS was a guest on Czech Radio Radiožurnál, where he discussed the risks associated with the effects of radiation on electronics and the human body in space in connection with the Artemis II mission.

In his interview, Martin Kákona explained the impact of cosmic radiation on electronic systems. He pointed out that even individual particles can cause errors in semiconductor components, for example by changing the logical state in transistors, which in extreme cases may affect spacecraft control. For this reason, special methods of safeguarding calculations are used in space systems, such as parallel data processing.

Radiation exposure is one of the key factors in the safety of crewed space missions, and its research is important not only for protecting astronauts but also for ensuring the reliable operation of onboard systems. Experts from the NPI have long contributed to this field, and their experimental devices were part of international radiation measurements during the Artemis I mission.

You can read the full report in Czech here.

Photo: NASA