Trip to Mars would involve a radiation limit for astronauts

Mexico, 19 September (Notimex) .- According to TGO satellite data, astronauts on Mars missions would be exposed to at least 60% of the recommended total radiation dose during the journey to and from the "Red Planet". .

Satellite data from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency were revealed at the European Congress of Planetary Science, EPSC, in Berlin, Germany.

Although TGO's main goal is to conduct an inventory of Mars' atmospheric gases, it has monitored radiation data since its launch in 2016.

The FREND instrument aboard the vessel provided data on the radiation doses recorded during the six-month trip to orbit Mars, and since it reached its orbit around the "Red Planet".

On Earth, a strong magnetic field and thick atmosphere protect humanity from the constant bombardment of atomic pieces from outside the solar system that move at a speed close to light, called galactic cosmic rays, explains the page. Internet of ESA.

Apart from the "blue planet", this type of phenomenon can cause serious damage to humans, including radiation sickness, increased risk of cancer, negative effects of the central nervous system and degenerative diseases.

Therefore, one of the fundamental aspects of the organization and design of a long-term mission on Mars is the risk of radiation, said Jordanka Semkova, of the Bulgarian Academy Sciences.

"The radiation doses accumulated by astronauts in the interplanetary space would be several hundred times greater than the doses accumulated by humans during the same period on Earth," she said.

The results of the investigation showed that during a six-month trip to Mars and assuming that six months ago, an astronaut could be exposed to at least 60% of the limit of total radiation dose recommended for his entire career.

"The trip itself would give astronauts a very high exposure to radiation," she said.

The study data will be used to verify radioactive environment models and radiological risk assessments for crew members during future exploration missions.

NTX / ICB / MAG / ASTRO16 / BBF