The lack of gravity wreaks havoc on the body, while radiation exposure leaves astronauts with an increased risk of cancer and other diseases. A team from Australian National University (ANU) has developed a new nanomaterial that could protect space travelers with a thin film that dynamically reflects harmful radiation.

Beyond the safety bubble of the Earth's magnetosphere, radiation from the Sun and more distant sources can do some serious damage. Spacesuits, spacecraft and instruments all have thick shielding to protect people and objects from harmful infrared and ultraviolet rays, but the materials are usually big and bulky. That's not ideal in space, where mobility and minimizing weight are paramount.