The article "Recent Advances and Challenges in Polymer-Based Materials for Space Radiation Shielding" by Elisa Toto, Lucia Lambertini, Susanna Laurenzi, and Maria Gabriella Santonicola reviews the latest developments and challenges in polymer-based materials designed for radiation-shielding applications in space. The authors highlight the importance of effective radiation shielding to protect astronauts and spacecraft from the hazardous effects of ionizing radiation, particularly solar particle events (SPEs) and galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). They discuss the use of polymer-based materials (PBM) and composites, which offer low-weight and tailored mechanical properties while providing effective radiation shielding. The review covers experimental and numerical studies, focusing on the enhancement of radiation-shielding performance through the integration of various nanofillers into polymer matrices. Key findings include the use of hydrogen-containing nanoparticles and light metals to improve protection against GCR and SPEs, and the application of boron and lithium as effective neutron absorbers. The article also explores the challenges in developing multifunctional materials that can provide comprehensive radiation protection. Experimental studies on polyethylene (PE), polyimide (PI), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and other PBMs are detailed, demonstrating their radiation-shielding capabilities. For example, PE composites with boron nitride (BN) and carbon nanoparticles show promising neutron-shielding effectiveness. PI composites filled with bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) exhibit enhanced radiation-shielding properties against both neutrons and gamma rays. PDMS composites with tungsten oxide (WO3) and barium oxide (BaO) demonstrate improved γ-ray attenuation. The article concludes by summarizing the state-of-the-art research and identifying emerging trends in the field, aiming to contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop effective radiation-shielding materials for space exploration.The article "Recent Advances and Challenges in Polymer-Based Materials for Space Radiation Shielding" by Elisa Toto, Lucia Lambertini, Susanna Laurenzi, and Maria Gabriella Santonicola reviews the latest developments and challenges in polymer-based materials designed for radiation-shielding applications in space. The authors highlight the importance of effective radiation shielding to protect astronauts and spacecraft from the hazardous effects of ionizing radiation, particularly solar particle events (SPEs) and galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). They discuss the use of polymer-based materials (PBM) and composites, which offer low-weight and tailored mechanical properties while providing effective radiation shielding. The review covers experimental and numerical studies, focusing on the enhancement of radiation-shielding performance through the integration of various nanofillers into polymer matrices. Key findings include the use of hydrogen-containing nanoparticles and light metals to improve protection against GCR and SPEs, and the application of boron and lithium as effective neutron absorbers. The article also explores the challenges in developing multifunctional materials that can provide comprehensive radiation protection. Experimental studies on polyethylene (PE), polyimide (PI), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and other PBMs are detailed, demonstrating their radiation-shielding capabilities. For example, PE composites with boron nitride (BN) and carbon nanoparticles show promising neutron-shielding effectiveness. PI composites filled with bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) exhibit enhanced radiation-shielding properties against both neutrons and gamma rays. PDMS composites with tungsten oxide (WO3) and barium oxide (BaO) demonstrate improved γ-ray attenuation. The article concludes by summarizing the state-of-the-art research and identifying emerging trends in the field, aiming to contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop effective radiation-shielding materials for space exploration.