Scientists have made an exciting discovery that could help protect astronauts from the dangerous cosmic radiation they would face on Mars.
Because Mars lacks the thick atmosphere and magnetic field that protect Earth, astronauts on Mars would be exposed to high levels of radiation, which could be harmful to their health.
But thanks to new research, scientists have identified materials that can effectively shield astronauts from this radiation, making long-term missions to Mars more achievable.
The research was led by Dimitra Atri from NYU Abu Dhabi’s Center for Astrophysics and Space Science and Dionysios Gakis from the University of Patras in Greece.
They used computer models to simulate the radiation environment on Mars and tested different materials to see which ones provided the best protection.
The study found that certain plastics, rubber, and synthetic fibers are particularly effective at blocking harmful cosmic radiation.
These materials could be used in spacesuits and habitats to keep astronauts safe. Interestingly, the researchers also found that Martian soil, known as regolith, could be used as an extra layer of protection.
This means that astronauts might be able to use the natural resources on Mars to build protective structures.
Another important finding was that aluminum, a material commonly used in spacecraft, can also help protect astronauts when combined with other low atomic number materials like plastics and rubber.
This combination of materials could be used to design better spacesuits and habitats for future Mars missions.
The researchers also confirmed their findings using real data from NASA’s Curiosity rover, which has been exploring Mars since 2012. This real-world data helped to validate the effectiveness of the materials they tested.
Dimitra Atri believes this breakthrough is an important step toward making human missions to Mars a reality. “This discovery enhances astronaut safety and brings us closer to establishing a human presence on Mars,” Atri said. The findings support ongoing efforts like the UAE’s Mars 2117 project, which aims to build a city on Mars by the year 2117.
Dionysios Gakis added that the materials tested in this study were specifically chosen because they could be used in the harsh Martian environment. “Our results are directly applicable to future missions, and they show how advanced materials can be combined with natural Martian resources to protect astronauts,” he explained.
This research offers hope that humans will one day be able to explore Mars safely and perhaps even live there, opening up exciting possibilities for the future of space exploration.
