Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31520: Students Tackle Space Radiation: The Awty Experiment Aboard the ISS

Radiation in space is a major concern for astronauts and spacecraft alike. The NanoRacks-Awty-Radiation Shielding and Monitoring experiment gave students from the Awty International School in Houston a chance to explore this challenge firsthand. In partnership with the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology, these young scientists tested different materials to find out how effectively they could shield against space radiation aboard the International Space Station.

This student-led project wasn’t just a classroom exercise. It involved designing, assembling, and analyzing data from a real experiment launched into space. The team compared various radiation shielding materials—both conventional and experimental—to see how they performed in the unique radiation environment of low Earth orbit. By using sensors aboard the ISS, they could measure how much radiation penetrated each material sample.

The data they collected helps inform future spacecraft design, ensuring that future astronauts have better protection on long-duration missions. It also gave the students an unforgettable hands-on experience in the scientific process—from hypothesis to data interpretation. Projects like this are vital for nurturing the next generation of engineers and researchers, showing students that their work can have real impact far beyond the classroom.

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