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Since scientists first experimented with radioactive elements and explored the mysteries of cosmic rays, the topic of 'radiation' has been a popular science fiction tool to create monsters. In reality, humans live and work in an environment awash in many forms of natural radiation, and have done so for millions of years. Were it not for this 'background radiation', it is likely that evolution itself would grind to a stop without this relentless mechanism for mutating genes.
Radiation comes in two basic forms: Electromagnetic, and particulate. Each of these forms can be further classified as 'ionizing' or 'non-ionizing' depending on whether the radiation carries enough energy to strip electrons from their atomic emprisonment. Each of these forms has its own complex behavior as it penetrates or is absorbed by matter, whether that matter is in the form of organic material or intert electronic circuitry.
NASA is interested in all forms of radiation that are capable of affecting astronauts and the organic systems they depend on. NASA is also interested in radiation which can alter the operations of electronic circuits which control spacecraft and spacecraft systems. [More]
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