The main threat on the way to Mars – space radiation
The project of NASA of Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) together with other tools located including onboard the ISS, helps scientists to work on one of the main problems which travelers on the way to Mars will face - it is space radiation. Protection of astronauts – a key question. Popular belief is that this radiation is similar to that which we face on Earth. But it is perfect other phenomenon.
On Earth the radiation proceeding from the Sun and from space, generally is absorbed or reflected the atmosphere and magnetic field. The most "terrible" radiation on Earth is a roentgen from which it is possible to be protected at least by screens, for example, lead. However space beams have rather high energy to face atomic nuclei, making screens and human tissues. And this radiation is destructive influences in itself an organism, and besides generates secondary radiation, "beating out" particles of atoms from tissues and screens.
Rate of such beams is incomparable with that which we can meet on Earth. NASA doesn't consider the possibility of protection against radiation by means of the screens made of heavy elements like lead. As space beams, bombarding such screen, will only frame even more secondary radiation. Allocate three types of space radiation. But the most dangerous, fight against which busy experts of the project, this galactic radiation. It is generated by traces blown up once in different corners of the galaxy and the Universe of supernew.
One more look is radiation in Van Allen's girdles around Earth, to the third look carry the thrown-out particles from the Sun, flashes. The NSRL project is included into the large-scale program of NASA Human Research Program (HRP) in which hundreds of researchers are involved, within the program more than 300 grants are allocated to various universities, research groups, hospitals. So studying of impact of space beams on a human body and search of protection against them doesn't stop for a minute.
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Very interesting post, thank you. I have a great curiosity for space, space travel, and NASA. I had never seen the included video, but did know something about space radiation. I hope I live long enough to be able to travel into space, even if it's just for one short trip.
I think the main threat to Mars is Human's if we are going to go up there, the human race for 1 is going to ruin the entire planet. First it will populate it, and make it all nice, and after that they will suck the living life out of it again. We ave the technology to get up there. Unfortunately we lack intelligence on a social level to sustain growth.
Thanks for posting - upvoted and resteemed