How the Universe Works

Cosmic rays that damage human DNA represent a serious risk for manned space exploration, threatening the health of astronauts on long‑duration missions. The programme asks whether physicists can identify the source of these rays and develop ways to reduce the danger they pose.

is a programme presented as a single episode. It falls under the genre of an episode‑style broadcast, and its title hints at the central scientific concern that the show will examine. The core of the episode concerns the threat posed by high‑energy cosmic rays to astronauts. These particles can break down human DNA, making them a serious hazard for any manned space mission. The narrative follows a team of physicists as they try to pinpoint where the rays originate and work out ways to lessen the danger they represent. Throughout the story, the scientists’ investigation forms the driving force, highlighting both the complexity of tracking invisible radiation and the urgency of finding protective measures. By focusing on the possibility of locating the source and developing mitigation strategies, the episode underscores the practical challenges that space agencies face when planning crewed journeys beyond Earth’s protective magnetosphere.