Question

Estimate all radiation risks for astronauts after travel from the Earth to the Mars and back. Duration of the travel is 1.5 years. Total absorbed dose will be around 6Gy. Discuss validity of your estimation for all risks (strong and weak sides of the estimation).

Answer 1

Radiation is energy packaged in electromagnetic waves or carried out by the particles. The energy is handed off when the wave or particle runs into something else, like an astronaut or spacecraft component. The levels of radiation we experience on earth are nothing when compared to the exposore of radiation by the astronuts who travel to mars and back to earth. The space radiation is much more harsh and causes damage to the cells. Anyone who traveled through deep space would be at much greater risk from radiation exposure.

On Earth, humans are safe from this harm. Earth’s protective magnetic bubble, called the magnetosphere, deflects most solar particles. Outside of Earth's protective shield, radiation can increase cancer risk and damage a person's central nervous system (which would cause altered cognitive function, reduced motor function and behavioral changes).  Other dangers of being exposed to such high radiation include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, cataracts, cardiac disease and circulatory disease. When groups of people are confined in a small space for a long time, behavioral issues are inevitable, said NASA's Human Research Program. Crews chosen to go for Mars are scrutinized closely because they travel farther and longer distance from earth. Scientists know that isolation can lead to a decline in mood, cognition, morale and interpersonal interaction, as well as the development of sleep disorders.NASA expects, travel to Mars is a mentally demanding challenge because astronuts are shuttled between heavy work loads and  periods of boredom. Lack of fresh food lead to nutritional deficiency which contributes to mental and physical illness. Isolation and confinement also causes group of people to miscommunicate.

On the journey to Mars, astronauts will encounter three different gravity fields. The space travelers will start in Earth's gravity field, which is approximately 10 newtons/kilogram. Each time the gravity changes, the astronauts' bodies will have to adapt. According to the Human Research Program, changing from one gravitational field to another affects a person's hand-eye coordination, balance, movement and sense of space. It also affects the muscles, bones and heart. According to the Human Research Program, stress hormones are elevated and can alter a person's immune system making them more susceptible to allergies and other illness. Space makes the microorganisms even more easier to transfer from one person to another person.