Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Goins, Gregory Dr.

Abstract

A Life Support System (LSS) sustains life for an extended period of time in a closed system that includes waste recycling as a functional method of support. For future space missions, the goal is to build extraterrestrial space bases which employ the concept design of a radiation free LSS environment. Effectively maintaining a LSS in an extraterrestrial space environment is difficult without protection from harmful space radiation such as galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and solar radiation. Radiation produces high energy ions which penetrates tissue and destroys DNA. Without radiation protection, life in an extraterrestrial environment will perish. Therefore, it is necessary to design a model which not only supports life within the LSS, but also prevents the harmful effects of external destruction from radiation. We must reduce the exposure of the radiation in order to maximize the potential for human survival in a LSS. We hypothesize that countermeasures taken to reduce the effects of radiation will increase safety within a LSS. The specific aims included in this study are to 1) identify various shielding methods for the model which will inhibit radiation exposure from impacting the LSS and 2) reduce the cancerous effects of radiation through Paclitaxel drug treatment. We use numerical integration computer software to simulate our model. Through mathematical modeling we are able to better define treatment options within a LSS with different types of radiation shielding and countermeasures. Results from the model indicate the rate at which tumors occurs with drug treatment. In conclusion, we were able to design an effective model which may help prevent the cancerous effects of radiation exposure through treatment with the Paclitaxel drug.

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