May 30th, 2013
11:46 PM ET
Astronauts would face high radiation on Mars trip
For those of you dreaming of visiting Mars, readings taken during the Curiosity rover's voyage to the Red Planet offer a new measurement to ponder as you weigh the risks.
Mars-bound pioneers will be exposed to radiation levels that could effectively retire astronauts under NASA's current standards, scientists reported Thursday. The radiation astronauts would face on a round trip would be comparable to getting an abdominal CT scan "about once every five days," said Cary Zeitlin, principal scientist for the NASA-led Martian Radiation Environment Experiment.
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I’m not going to disagree that astronauts would also be bombarded with solar energetic particles. Indeed, not all regions on Mars are usually bombarded with solar energetic particles despite Mars has little magnetic field. But the regions on the North Pole and the South Pole, and the region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are exception. Does NASA agree with that?
Are the galactic cosmic rays available to be found during the day on planets? Unlike solar flares, I’m going to think that the galactic cosmic rays usually pose more threats at night than during the day on planets. Will you?
There could be little magnetic field on Mars so far, would solar flare be one of the serious threats to the visitors?
They should use aluminum foil for protection like on the Apollo space project. The Apollo lunar programs proved micro thin aluminum foil can protect against the most extreme conditions of space plus protect astronauts from high radiation. Just use double or even triple the amount of tin foil as used during lunar trips. It's a no brainier.
I've been exercising and working out for when I'm chosen for the Mars One project. Do you even lift?
Article says they wil be exposed to too much on round trip. Mars One is only 1 way. I should be ok.