Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31295: Space Armor: The Matroyshka-R Shield Protection Study on the ISS

Human spaceflight comes with many challenges, and one of the most formidable is radiation. As we venture beyond Earth's protective magnetosphere, shielding astronauts from cosmic rays becomes a top priority. To address this issue, the Russian space agency, through the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems, conducted the Matroyshka-R Shield Protection experiment aboard the ISS.

This experiment focused on testing different types of shielding materials and strategies to reduce radiation exposure inside the space station. Researchers used anthropomorphic phantoms—specially designed models that simulate human tissue and organ distribution. These phantoms were embedded with radiation sensors and were placed in various compartments across the station to evaluate how effective shielding could be in real-world scenarios.

A critical element of this experiment was understanding how well existing station walls and additional protective layers could block or attenuate incoming radiation. Over expeditions 25/26 through 37/38, the phantoms were rotated between shielded and less shielded areas, including both internal and external station zones.

The findings have helped improve our knowledge of how radiation interacts with different materials in microgravity. This has led to better design choices for crew modules, storage areas, and sleeping quarters. Insights from Shield Protection are also informing the development of future habitats for long-term lunar or Martian missions.

Shielding isn’t just about building thicker walls—it’s about smart materials, placement, and integration into spacecraft architecture. This experiment brings us one step closer to that ideal setup, where astronauts can explore safely.

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