Cosmic radiation is the cause of a flight to Mars

2017-09-25 10:18

Cosmic radiation is the cause of a flight to Mars
Cosmic radiation is significantly different from the radiation that would threaten human on Earth.

Charged particles are tiny, nevertheless, they are able to exert a powerful influence on astronauts, reports Rus.Media. Program NASA Human Research Program (HRP) is aimed at the study of these particles to solve one of the biggest problems encountered in the preparation of a manned expedition to Mars – a problem of negative influence of space radiation on the human body.

Cosmic radiation is significantly different from the radiation that would threaten human on Earth – x-rays, the dose which we can obtain, for example, in the dentist’s office. From x-rays is well protected lead blanket, but cosmic radiation is characterized in that the particles of cosmic rays have much higher energy than x-rays and the bombardment of the nuclei of the lead layer of such high-energy particles generate cascades of secondary particles, known as secondary radiation. The combined effect on the body of astronauts primary and secondary cosmic radiation can lead to more serious consequences, compared with the influence of only the primary radiation, according to NASA. Therefore, the use of thick lead plates can not guarantee the safety of astronauts during extended space travel.

The main goal of HRP is to study the impact of cosmic radiation, especially a variant of it, called galactic cosmic rays on the human body. It is believed that galactic cosmic rays from supernova explosions, have the greatest negative impact on the human body. To other sources of dangerous space radiation include the radiation belt van Allen of our planet, which contain trapped particles of cosmic radiation and high-energy events that occur on the Sun.

In preparation for a manned mission to Mars the us space Agency will continue to use, develop, and improve technologies to protect astronauts from space radiation.