Space Radiation Too Deadly For Mars Mission

[Milton Bradley]

SPACE.com -- Space Radiation Too Deadly For Mars Mission
By Charles Q. Choi
Special to SPACE.com
posted: 31 March 2008
10:00 am ET

Dangerous levels of radiation in space could bar astronauts from a mission to Mars and limit prolonged activity on the moon, experts now caution. However, more research could reveal ways to handle the risks that radiation poses to space missions. The magnetic field of Earth protects humanity from radiation in space that can damage or kill cells. Once beyond this shield, people become far more vulnerable. Astronauts have long seen white flashes while in space due to cosmic rays, or extremely high-energy particles, passing through their heads. A return to the moon or a mission to Mars that NASA and other space agencies are planning would place astronauts at continued risk from cosmic rays or dangerous bursts of solar radiation. Several reports in the past have outlined the potential risks. To further investigate the risks that space radiation currently pose, the National Research Council assembled experts in space and biology together. At the present time, given current knowledge, the level of radiation astronauts would encounter "would not allow a human crew to undertake a Mars mission and might also seriously limit long-term Moon activity," this committee notes in their new report today. Still, much remains uncertain regarding the actual risks that space radiation poses for the body, explained committee member Walter Schimmerling, a scientist now retired from NASA's space radiation program. All these uncertainties mean that safety margins have to remain high, limiting how long astronauts can stay in space. This in turn could rule out a mission to Mars, as well as long-term or multiple missions to the moon. "The way to deal with that problem is to reduce the margins of uncertainty," Schimmerling told SPACE.com. To enable at the very least lunar missions with astronauts, the committee stressed that radiation biology research deserved the highest priority. However, the experts noted that NASA's space radiation biology research has been significantly compromised by recent cuts in funding, leading to major gaps in our knowledge of the health risks of radiation, such as cancer, neurological damage and degenerative tissue disease. NASA's entire space radiation biology research program is critically dependent on the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, which in turn relies on the U.S. Department of Energy's heavy ion physics program. The committee strongly recommended that NASA do as much research at this lab as it could, in case Department of Energy's priorities shift and dramatically reduce the availability of the lab. "No one knows how long the window of opportunity is for how long this laboratory is available — 10 or 15 years seems a reasonable guess," Schimmerling said.

Another blow to the Starship Enterprise, and Trekies everywhere.


I thought the vision sucked anyway.

[Milton Bradley]

Nobody?

[Domino]

If you insist...

If a magnetic field can protect the Earth from cosmic rays, one could protect a spacecraft. All we have to do is equip our ships with electromagnets of capacity sufficient to produce a magnetic field large enough to protect the vessel. I couldn't tell you just what that takes, but it is certainly a possible solution, if not necessarily economically viable. It may be more effective to use a lesser magnetic field and propagate plasma into it, providing a charged screen to catch or divert incoming charged particles. If you could make it dense enough, it could catch some proportion of high-speed neutrons, as well.

[Rainbow]

Quote by: Milton Bradley Space Radiation Too Deadly For Mars Mission

Forget that radiation - occurrence.
Assuming we can protect ourselves from radiation and/or any outter threats, and guys go to Mars.
What about : locomotion ?
Assuming that guys landed successfully on Mars.
Who is going to pull them out from those spaceships ?
You ? :-)))

[Compugasm]

would not allow a human crew to undertake a Mars mission and might also seriously limit long-term Moon activity

There is no mention of death, or even short term health risks. Merely that the mission "isn't allowed". There have been people in the space station for a few months at time. So how much extra protection is needed to extend the journey from a few months, to a few years?

As domino points out, of all the things that could prevent a mars mission, and what could potentially go wrong along the way, radiation doesn't seem like such a big deal to figure out. A couple magnets, some extra tinfoil on the outside, and an extra lead blanket to tuck yourself under at bedtime. I'd like to know, not why the mission can't procede, but what you need to make it succede.

[Sejita]

That's kind of sad. It seems every year, there's a new excuse why we can't get to Mars.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Sejita That's kind of sad. It seems every year, there's a new excuse why we can't get to Mars.

I'm not too saddened by this. In fact, it strikes me as a really good idea to shift priorities away from expeditions to Mars and such. We should focus more on where we are. Some will say I shouldn't go this far, that we should pay more attention to what's "out there," but oh well...

Grandpa h.

[Sejita]

Well it's my personal belief that as a race, it should be one of our top priorities to contact another civilization, should one exist. Landing on Mars would be the next step towards that, I think.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Sejita Well it's my personal belief that as a race, it should be one of our top priorities to contact another civilization, should one exist. Landing on Mars would be the next step towards that, I think.

I understand the interest, but I don't see why it should be placed high as a priority, even if more than one "civilization" exists out there.

Grandpa h.

[Domino]

As the quest to land on the Moon led to many great innovations, the quest to put people on Mars will surely lead to many more. Though we get nothing from going, we get a great deal from being able to go.

[Laststandb]

Quote by: Domino As the quest to land on the Moon led to many great innovations, the quest to put people on Mars will surely lead to many more. Though we get nothing from going, we get a great deal from being able to go.

Ie not invading Iran

Well, if this 'space radiation' will p0wn th3m n00bs (sorry, this seems silly), why havent our satilites get p0wned? Really, if something can damage our cells, it should be able to damage extreamly sensitive equipment (Well, I'm not accounting for the fact that NASA could be a hoax)

[Sejita]

Well Grandpa, imagine the human race just died out tomorrow, with no lasting impression of what we have accomplished. Would that not seem tragic to you?

[Compugasm]

Quote by: Laststandb why havent our satilites get p0wned?

Metal isn't affected by radiation, or being radioactive, the same way that living cells are.

[Domino]

As well, Earth's magnetic field protects everything at least out to the ISS, and probably for some distance beyond.

[Laststandb]

(Comp) There are sensitive instraments, I would thik radition would destroy them.

(Domino) Well, there are aways the voyagers which have traversed the solar system.

Domino gives me an idea, wouldn't Mars's magnetic field protect our travelers?

[Gods_Mercenary]

They're not life, however.

Mars' magnetic field would probably provide enough protection, though not nearly as much as earth, but the issre is getting there un-fried, isn't it.

To add my two cents, I think that space exploration is the most important area of science in terms of us as a species. It will be explored until the laws of science prevent it, that's human nature.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: Laststandb (Comp) There are sensitive instraments, I would thik radition would destroy them. (Domino) Well, there are aways the voyagers which have traversed the solar system. Domino gives me an idea, wouldn't Mars's magnetic field protect our travelers?

I'm pretty sure Mars doesn't have a magnatic shield, as it appearently lacks a liquid core, which is alleged to be the cause of Earths magnetic shield.

[Gods_Mercenary]

Oh, yeah, I remember something like that, of course, if we can solve a way to get there, we already have the solution once we get to mars.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Sejita Well Grandpa, imagine the human race just died out tomorrow, with no lasting impression of what we have accomplished. Would that not seem tragic to you?

If that happens I probably won't be able to reflect on it. Furthermore, the human race hasn't only accomplished good things.

Grandpa h.

[Nono]

Quote by: compugasm There is no mention of death, or even short term health risks. Merely that the mission "isn't allowed". There have been people in the space station for a few months at time. So how much extra protection is needed to extend the journey from a few months, to a few years?

Is the space station's orbit inside of, or outside of, the protective magnetic field?

A coupla magnets will require considerable energy. The whole damn trip will require a powerful energy source.

Such are the problems to be solved before Real Humans can be sent on a mission that artefacts can probably accomplish just as well.

Seems to me the notion of a manned mission to Mars is not very scientific.