Radiation exposure on Mars missions could exceed safe limits
Posted: Fri, May 31, 2013, 2:14 PM ET (1814 GMT)
Exposure to cosmic radiation on missions to Mars could exceed NASA's current limits for astronauts, scientists reported this week. Researchers used data collected by an instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) during its voyage from Earth to Mars last year to examiner the radiation environment astronauts would be exposed to on missions to the Red Planet. The data indicated the radiation was dominated by galactic cosmic rays, highly energetic particles that cannot be easily blocked by shielding. The MSL data indicated that the radiation exposure on a crewed Mars mission would likely exceed NASA's current exposure limits, which limit exposures to levels that would increase the risk of cancer by three percent. Decreasing the travel time is considered the best way to deal with the radiation exposure concern, a solution that would require advanced propulsion technology.
Exposure to cosmic radiation on missions to Mars could exceed NASA's current limits for astronauts, scientists reported this week. Researchers used data collected by an instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) during its voyage from Earth to Mars last year to examiner the radiation environment astronauts would be exposed to on missions to the Red Planet. The data indicated the radiation was dominated by galactic cosmic rays, highly energetic particles that cannot be easily blocked by shielding. The MSL data indicated that the radiation exposure on a crewed Mars mission would likely exceed NASA's current exposure limits, which limit exposures to levels that would increase the risk of cancer by three percent. Decreasing the travel time is considered the best way to deal with the radiation exposure concern, a solution that would require advanced propulsion technology.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Blue Origin announces new upper stage and engine for New Glenn
Posted: Sat, Nov 7 12:07 PM ET (1707 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, November 9
NASA Updates Moon Base Plan Spanning Rover to Rides
Aviation Week — 4:49 am ET (0949 GMT) Korea to spur private launchers and LEO network in SpaceX-style push
Chosun Ilbo — 4:44 am ET (0944 GMT) As SpaceX gets cheaper, are India’s rockets taking different flight paths?
livemint — 4:44 am ET (0944 GMT) SpaceX Falcon 9 launch planned for Monday evening out of Vandenberg SFB
KSBY-TV San Luis Obispo, CA — 4:43 am ET (0943 GMT) Will China’s slow and steady moon landing plan be a safer bet than the US’?
South China Morning Post — 4:43 am ET (0943 GMT) |
