Van Allen Radiation Belt & Mars Mission

Kaustubh Katdare · 2014-10-15T18:25:29+00:00

The space enthusiasts may already be aware of the Van Allen radiation belt that surrounds our planet Earth. It's a huge, thick layer of highly charged particles. While the Earth has two such belts, it's believed that more such belts can be temporarily created. These belts exist at an altitude of about 1000 to 60000 km above the surface of the earth. The particles trapped in the radiation are electrons and ions (mostly energetic protons). Further interesting information about these belts is available on Wiki article: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Van Allen Radiation Belt</a> . Now the important and interesting thing about these radiation belts is that they are known to affect solar cells, ICs and sensors on the satellites. The radiation is so intense that Hubble telescope turns off its sensors if it has to remain exposed to the radiation for an extended time. Only the moon missions so far have been the human ventures beyond the Van Allen belts. I'm wondering if the Mars mission, where humans travel to Mars will be affected by these radiation belts. If yes, what will be the degree of the radiation astronauts will be exposed to? Will they be able to survive?

Van Allen Radiation Belt & Mars Mission

Kaustubh Katdare
@thebigk

Updated: Oct 23, 2024

Views: 1.5K

The space enthusiasts may already be aware of the Van Allen radiation belt that surrounds our planet Earth. It's a huge, thick layer of highly charged particles. While the Earth has two such belts, it's believed that more such belts can be temporarily created. These belts exist at an altitude of about 1000 to 60000 km above the surface of the earth. The particles trapped in the radiation are electrons and ions (mostly energetic protons). Further interesting information about these belts is available on Wiki article: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Van Allen Radiation Belt</a> .

Now the important and interesting thing about these radiation belts is that they are known to affect solar cells, ICs and sensors on the satellites. The radiation is so intense that Hubble telescope turns off its sensors if it has to remain exposed to the radiation for an extended time.

Only the moon missions so far have been the human ventures beyond the Van Allen belts. I'm wondering if the Mars mission, where humans travel to Mars will be affected by these radiation belts. If yes, what will be the degree of the radiation astronauts will be exposed to? Will they be able to survive?

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Kaustubh Katdare

Administrator • Oct 22, 2014

Update: The problem I talked about has become more serious after a group of researchers have studied the effect of radiation on the astronauts. Those who are interested in reading about this, head over to: <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Cosmic-rays-threaten-manned-Mars-missions/articleshow/44914069.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">'Cosmic rays threaten manned Mars missions' - Times of India</a>

PS: This is one of the reasons that I continue to believe that moon landing was fake.

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Jeffrey Arulraj

Member • Oct 23, 2014

"However, starting in about 2006, we observed the longest solar minimum and weakest solar activity observed in the space age," said Schwadron. These conditions brought about the highest intensities of galactic cosmic rays seen since the beginning of the space age, which have created worsening radiation hazards that potentially threaten future deep-space astronaut missions.
I am not sure about the Mission MOON 1975. But recent erratic weather patterns and localised results of higher irradiation are eminent.

Our country itself is having issues with the weather pattern. Earlier predictable activities like onset of monsoons etc. have no become nearly unpredictable. More further the temperature and its shift has changed in the recent past compared to what it has been in 1975.

On going through the article I feel Space mission NOW is nearly impossible but not space mission in the past. They where a little clever in beating the bush though

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Shashank Moghe

Member • Oct 23, 2014

I am sure they had other problems to face while landing on the MOON when the solar activity was not as low. Now we have one more, and I am sure we will take care of this. We always have, this is what drives research and we always have come on top.

Besides, why should one doubt the moon landing? Sure the conspiracy theories are interesting "documentaries" to watch, with popcorn. People were alive when they landed and returned back. The world listened to the broadcast on their radios. People are living evidence it did happen.

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Pamela White

Member • Oct 24, 2018

The Big problems to face while landing on the MOON is they had never went to the moon..they could never get past the van Allen belts then or now, in fact never with they sort it out fact

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