No one can say you about human journey to Mars until they reach there. Preparation of sending human on Mars is going on worldwide, but it is impossible to predict what will happen. But we hope that consistent try will definitely give some positive result. One of the biggest hurdles that can stop human journey to Mars is space radiation which is more lethal than earth radiation. In order to make this journey successful, special type of technologies are being developed by NASA to protect astronauts from these deadly space radiations.
"Some people think that radiation will keep Nasa from sending people to Mars, but that is not the current situation," said Pat Troutman, Nasa Human Exploration Strategic Analysis Lead.
"When we add the various mitigation techniques up, we are optimistic it will lead to a successful Mars mission with a healthy crew that will live a very long and productive life after they return to Earth," said Troutman.
Space radiation is quite different and more dangerous than radiation on Earth, Nasa said.
Astronauts living on ISS or International Space Station experience stronger radiation than earth, while the ISS is floating within protective magnetic field of the Earth. This radiation is ten times stronger than earth radiation.
There are solar particle events (SPEs), Van Allen Belts and galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) in space outside earth’s magnetic field which confine deadly space radiation. However, NASA can protect their astronauts from solar particle events (SPEs), but to save them from galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) is very difficult. These GCRs particles can penetrate plastic, metals, cellular material and water. These are deadly particles and can be a big challenge for NASA.
"One of the most challenging parts for the human journey to Mars is the risk of radiation exposure and the inflight and long-term health consequences of the exposure," said Lisa Simonsen, Nasa Space Radiation Element Scientist.
"This ionising radiation travels through living tissues, depositing energy that causes structural damage to DNA and alters many cellular processes," said Simonsen.
NASA’s scientists are trying to invent some materials so that they can protect their crew from these deadly radiation while journey to Mars. They are developing such materials that can save space vehicles from being penetrated by space radiation.
Apart from these things, they are also creating some pharmaceutical measures which may work more effectively than shielding concept. Space forecasting tools are being advanced to identify space radiation and faster rockets are being developed so that the astronomers can move very fast through space to their destination. In this way, they don’t have to spend more time in space and can be saved from deadly radiation.
"Mars is the best option we have right now for expanding long-term, human presence," Troutman said.
"We have already found valuable resources for sustaining humans, such as water ice just below the surface and past geological and climate evidence that Mars at one time had conditions suitable for life.
"What we learn about Mars will tell us more about Earth's past and future and may help answer whether life exists beyond our planet," said Troutman.
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