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In space travel threats, radiation is the killer

How radiation rules Mars exploration PhsOrg. by Sheyna E. Gifford “…..we have known that space is a risky place to be, radiation being one of many reasons. We believed that once our explorers safely landed on Mars’ surface, the planet would provide shielding from the ravages of radiation. We didn’t how much, or how little, until very recently. Radiation and its variations impact not only the planning of human and robotic missions, but also the search for life taking place right now…….

Radiation and its variations impact not only the planning of human and robotic missions, but also the search for extraterrestrial life. Without a substantial atmospheric protection, powerful particles entering the air can penetrate straight into the Martian soil. On impacting the surface, the GCRs and SEPs from space produce cascades of other energetic particles. Of these newly produced particles, gamma rays and neutrons are easily capable of breaking molecular bonds in the soil, destroying evidence of past life, as well as any life that may be presenting trying to survive there…….

Deep space, the place of greatest exposure, remains an issue.

“Perhaps one of the areas they would be most vulnerable would be during a spacewalk [on the way] to Mars.”….Because of what we have learned, we can begin to establish weather prediction systems. We can tell explorers that there is an increased risk of cancer associated with a trip to Mars (approximately 5 percent over a lifetime).

In these ways,  rules the past, present and future of effective planetary exploration…….http://phys.org/news/2014-02-mars-exploration.html

February 15, 2014 - Posted by | Uncategorized

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