Humanity already has big plans to send humans to Mars, but the hazardous radiation during the long-duration spaceflights is a big concern. Scientists have warned of brain damage, gastrointestinal problems, and cancer on a journey to the Red Planet. Though it sounds discouraging, it isn’t impossible to overcome these hurdles.
In a new study, scientists have suggested some measures to deal with safety issues, and it could include strategically picking the best time to travel. “This study shows that while space radiation imposes strict limitations and presents technological difficulties for the human mission to Mars, such a mission is still viable,” reads the paper published in the journal Space Weather. The paper has simulations that suggest the best time to travel to Mars.
Best time when Sun’s roaring
The paper calls out two prime kinds of hazardous particle radiation: solar energetic particles (SEP) from the Sun and galactic cosmic rays (GCR) coming from outside our solar system. The scientists suggest a time called solar maximum – when the Sun is at the highest activity level – as the best time for humans to embark on the Mars journey.
“The scientists’ calculations demonstrate that it would be possible to shield a Mars-bound spacecraft from energetic particles from the sun because, during solar maximum, the most dangerous and energetic particles from distant galaxies are deflected by the enhanced solar activity,” UCLA said in a statement.
Better shields to help in future
Spacecraft makers will be required to focus on shielding astronauts from SEP, but there would be a reduced impact from damaging GCR when the Sun is at the highest activity. Researchers also suggest keeping a Mars round trip to less than four years in duration, though this could change with better shielding materials.
The travel time to the Red Planet can vary, but there are some occasions coming up in the mid-2030s and 2050 when shorter Earth-to-Mars journeys will align with the solar maximum.
Besides, NASA’s Curiosity rover has survived the harsh Martian conditions for 9 years. To celebrate the occasion, NASA shared a 360-degree panorama shot that the rover snapped in July. Curiosity reached the Gale Crater in early August 2012 and has been moving around Mount Sharp.
