The atmosphere of our planet protects us from dangerous cosmic radiation. However, conditions on Mars are completely different, so researchers who go there will experience radiation on themselves, 700 times higher than its level on Earth.
It is because of this that flights to Mars will not be possible until technology is invented that protects Martian colonists from radiation, scientists from the European Space Agency say.
To address this issue, ESA has assembled an interdisciplinary team of researchers to learn more about how Martian radiation affects the human body and how astronauts can be protected while traveling to Mars and other points in the solar system.
They also have to test in special laboratory conditions how Martian radiation will affect various technology and electronics.
Based on data received from ExoMars Orbiter (ESA) and the Russian Roscosmos, it was calculated that even during a six-month journey to Mars, astronauts will be exposed to 60% of the total radiation dose limit.
In addition to the 6 months journey to Mars, the prospective researchers will spend several more months on Mars itself and will receive critical doses of radiation in the total time.
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In addition to physicists and radiation specialists, the ESA forum brought together biologists, physicians and astronautics experts. ESA has been working closely with these scientists since 2015.
The Earth's atmosphere and its magnetic field protect us from cosmic rays that constantly “bombard” our planet. The so-called lower radiation belt begins only 500 km from the Earth, and there are three such belts around the Earth, and a long stay in any of these belts is fatal for astronauts.
And this is just the "yard" of the Earth. In space, the radiation is even stronger, because there will be no protection.
When an astronaut is exposed to cosmic rays during flight, he will be at increased risk of cancer, and then damage to the brain, central nervous system and heart may occur.
Lithium is one of the materials that can protect space travelers. According to Professor Durante, this is a very promising material for shielding from cosmic radiation.