Surviving Mars missions will take planning and lots of innovation

 




Scientists are studying how to protect astronauts on missions to Mars, where there will be minimal room for medical gear. Here, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins inspects a compact habitat on the International Space Station. It can be expanded into a living or work space.

NASA


 By Maria Temming


“On movie missions to Mars, getting there is the easy part. The Martian’s Mark Watney, for instance, was fine until a dust storm left him fending for himself. But in real life, dangers well beyond extreme weather face crews headed to the Red Planet.


“The mission to Mars is likely going to be four to six individuals [living] together in a can the size of a Winnebago for three years,” says Leticia Vega. She’s the associate chief scientist for the NASA Human Research Program in Houston, Texas. Time on the planet will be sandwiched between a six- to nine-month journey there plus the same long trip back.


Once in space, microgravity and radiation become big worries. Microgravity allows fluids to build up in the head. This can cause vision problems. And cruising through space will pelt adventurers with high-energy charged particles. These can zip right through the metal belly of a spacecraft. Researchers don’t know just how harmful this radiation is. However, lab tests suggest it could raise astronauts’ risk of cancer and other diseases.”



 credits:

www.sciencenewsforstudents.org

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