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Life on Mars… but only for four years: Red Planet ‘too dangerous’ for humans to survive for long-duration mission
- Scientists say that if people stay longer than 4 years, the radiation becomes unsafe
A human expedition to Mars has long been on the radar of space explorers’ aspirations.
Two years ago, there was even talk of humans reproducing on Mars because sperm can survive there for up to 200 years, scientists say.
However, it seems this hope may be short-lived, as experts have now recommended that humans should spend no more than four years on a mission to the planet.
According to one of the most recent studies of the viability of human life on the Red Planet, scientists have said that if humans stay beyond this point, radiation levels become unsafe.
The findings, which were published in the Advancing Earth and Science Journal, said: “Our calculations clearly show that the best time to launch a manned spaceflight to Mars is during solar maximum because it is possible to protect against solar energetic particles.
A 3D rendering of the planet Mars, which scientists say humans can only spend four years on
An illustration of ASA’s Perseverance Mars rover that has been used on missions to the planet
‘Our simulations show that an increase in shielding increases the secondary radiation produced by the most energetic GCR, resulting in a higher dose, thus limiting the duration of a mission.
‘We estimate that a possible mission to Mars should take no more than about four years.
“This study shows that space radiation imposes strict limitations and poses technological challenges to the human mission to Mars, such a mission is still viable.”
Other research by the UCLA team found that a spacecraft on a mission to and from Mars should provide adequate protection during the round trip.
However, if the material used to build the spacecraft is too thick, it can actually increase the amount of secondary radiation.
Another finding includes information that the best time to leave Earth would be when solar activity is at its peak.
This is because the “solar maximum” is at the least dangerous level.
A look at the surface of Mars, which scientists previously thought had water