As space agencies have been doing several research based on Mars and are planning on sending human crews as well, scientists also have to find a way to avoid and protect the dangers posed by the high energy radiations caused by solar storms.
[Source: Space.com]
Mars lacks a protective magnetosphere and is wrapped in thin air that is almost 1% of the thickness of Earth’s atmosphere. Because of this, it lets in high-energy radiation, like protons, neutrons, ions and gamma rays. The sun also churns out intense bursts of radiation which are solar energetic particles or SEPs.
Therefore, the astronauts will be more exposed to space radiation as Mars is a harsh, chilly and foreboding planet.
The researchers at NASA and at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado are planning on strategies for a round trip Mars expedition to deal with the solar storms.
Not only are there concerns about Earth-to-Mars transiting crews but also about what tool kits will be needed on the surface of Mars to deal with an incoming storm. Plus there can always be an issue in receiving word from the mission control team back from Earth.
Gina DiBraccio, the acting director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA headquarters said that, “Due to communication delays between Earth and Mars, astronauts must be equipped to independently access local space weather conditions at Mars.
She further added, “Scientists are currently utilizing available observations and models to develop tools that will play a role in providing advanced warning of any space weather threats directed at Mars.
NASA has reported that a strong solar flare flung X-rays and gamma rays at Mars, with a follow-on coronal mass ejection, hurling charged particles at the distant world will be arriving at the red planet.
Favors has said that, in terms of future human missions to Mars, one scenario envisioned is that the needed observational and modeling capabilities would be a part of the crew vehicle architecture. This way, the process of creating an actionable space weather prediction could occur fully independent on Earth.
https://www.space.com/mars-protect-astronauts-solar-storm-radiation
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