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MISSION TO MARS: RADIATION SAFETY OR RADIATION DISASTER? SPACE TRANSIT AND MARS RADIATION EXPOSURE RISKS – THE POTENTIAL SHIELDING EFFECT OF AN INTRAVEHICULAR GRAPHENE SPACE SUIT AND A STORM SHELTER DURING SPACE TRAVEL Cover

MISSION TO MARS: RADIATION SAFETY OR RADIATION DISASTER? SPACE TRANSIT AND MARS RADIATION EXPOSURE RISKS – THE POTENTIAL SHIELDING EFFECT OF AN INTRAVEHICULAR GRAPHENE SPACE SUIT AND A STORM SHELTER DURING SPACE TRAVEL

Journal of the Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine
Volume 11 (2020): Issue 1 (January 2020)
By: Tim Squire,  Grant Buchanan and  Hany Elsaleh  
Open Access
|Jan 2020

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Increased cellular oxidative stress during irradiation in the cosmic radiation environment.
Increased cellular oxidative stress during irradiation in the cosmic radiation environment.

Figure 2

Effective dose received during Mars transit with varying materials at natural densities.
Effective dose received during Mars transit with varying materials at natural densities.

Supplementary data 1:

Balancing radiation dose from SPE and GCR during solar maximum and minimum. During solar maximum GCR is likely to contribute less radiation dose with an increase in frequency of SPE. During solar minimum there is likely increased dose due to GCR and less frequency of SPE.
Balancing radiation dose from SPE and GCR during solar maximum and minimum. During solar maximum GCR is likely to contribute less radiation dose with an increase in frequency of SPE. During solar minimum there is likely increased dose due to GCR and less frequency of SPE.

Figure 3

Increased radiation doses at higher altitude on the surface of Mars.
Increased radiation doses at higher altitude on the surface of Mars.

Figure 4

Decreased effective dose received during transit due to increased solar magnetic field strength during solar maximum compared with solar minimum.
Decreased effective dose received during transit due to increased solar magnetic field strength during solar maximum compared with solar minimum.

Supplementary data 2

Potential synergistic effect of loss of circadian rhythm with environmental factors resulting in increased toxicity from cosmic radiation.
Potential synergistic effect of loss of circadian rhythm with environmental factors resulting in increased toxicity from cosmic radiation.

“Best and worst case scenario” incorporating potential launch, transit and habitation strategies_

Best Case ScenarioWorst Case Scenario
Crew SelectionNo radiosensitive genes Resistant to sleep deprivation and psychological stressGeneral crew selection
Solar Cycle Launch TimeSolar maximumSolar minimum
Propulsion SystemChemical, nuclear and electricalChemical
Intravehicular SuitGraphene suit ∼ 162mSvNo additional shielding ∼ 213.3mSv
SPE Warning SystemSolar flare telescopeNo solar flare telescope
On-Board Storm Shelter During A SPEFuel tank barrier ∼ 44mSVNo barrier ∼ 3614mSv
Location On Mars For HabitationHella PlanitiaOlympus Mons
Depth Below Surface For Habitation3m below surface ∼3mSv/yrSurface ∼300mSv/yr
Total Radiation Dose∼209mSv/yr∼4127.3mSv/yr

Comparison of dose received behind liquid fuel tank and unshielded dose along with potential clinical effects experienced by astronauts from an unshielded exposure from an SPE_

OrganDose Behind Liquid BarrierUnshielde d DoseClinical Effect
Skin0.013Gy14.5GyPainErythema
Testes0.012Gy3GyAzoospermiaInfertility
Heart0.012Gy8GyCoronaryArteryDiseaseValvularFibrosis
Brain0.013Gy1.6GyNausea/VomitingNeurocognitive Effects
Lens0.013Gy7.5GyCataractFormation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/asam-2019-001 | Journal eISSN: 2639-6416 | Journal ISSN: 1449-3764
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Language: English
Page range: 1 - 9
Published on: Jan 30, 2020
Published by: Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year
Related subjects:
Medicine,
Basic medical science,
Basic medical science, other

© 2020 Tim Squire, Grant Buchanan, Hany Elsaleh, published by Australasian Society of Aerospace Medicine
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

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