Cosmic ray radiation could prevent humans from travelling to Mars

A NEW report has exposed one of the big problems confronting our ambition to send humans to Mars. That problem comes in the form of cosmic ray radiation.

Mars could be a dangerous place for humans.

A NEW report has exposed one of the big problems confronting our ambition to send humans to Mars - galactic cosmic ray radiation.

Cosmic rays consist of high energy particles. When humans leave the earth’s atmosphere, these rays can kill cells and even cause cancer. They’re also extremely difficult to shield against, Wired reports.

The new study, published in the scientific journal PLOS One, says astronauts could receive doses of cosmic ray radiation exceeding their lifetime limit after just 18 months (for women) or two years (for men) on the International Space Station.

The planet Mars seen over a city landmark in St Petersburg, Russia.

“The type of tumours that cosmic ray ions make are more aggressive than what we get from other radiation,” says radiation expert Francis Cucinotta, who wrote the report.

That conclusion obviously has wider repercussions for extended space travel. If we’re going to send anyone to Mars, we’d better be able to protect them against the effects of this radiation. Cucinotta estimates that, as technology currently stands, an astronaut’s lifespan would be shortened by 15-24 years by a trip to the red planet.

NASA does take steps to ensure its astronauts don’t vastly increase their chances of dying from cancer. Once an astronaut has spent too much time accumulating radiation in space, they’re grounded, Wired reports.

A self portrait from NASA's Mars exploration rover Opportunity.

But that sort of strategy won’t work for longer trips through space. So, Cucinotta says, we need to gather more information on the potential health problems from cosmic ray radiation.

“Once we know better, we can find the true answer, and it could lower our risk estimate,” he said.