Planet Mars. Photo: NASA

An investigation by Russian, German and American scientists revealed this Manned missions to Mars may not last more than four years due to the risk of exposure to solar radiation for astronauts.

The research is the joint work of a group of scientists at the Skólkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Russia), the University of California (USA), the University of Potsdam (Germany) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA).

The study authors evaluated the effect of cosmic radiation on the health of astronauts, as well as the limitations imposed by the weight of the spacecraft on the protective materials., mimics its spread of particles inside it, according to the recently published AGU Space Weather.

The researchers studied how two main types of dangerous radiation – solar particles (SEP) and galactic cosmic rays (GCR) – whose intensity depends on the activity of the Sun, their effect on various human organs and affect the spaceship.

Calculations showed that the optimal time to fly to Mars, which lasts about 9 months, corresponds to the maximum solar energy., since the intensity of GCR, the most aggressive type of radiation, decreases within 6-12 months after peak solar activity.

However, even Missions launched during maximum solar power cannot exceed four years, after which time the crew will encounter dangerous levels of radiation.

Similarly, it was discovered that the use of materials capable of providing additional protection against cosmic radiation is conditioned on the maximum permissible weight of the aircraft. Also, over time, the materials used can begin to emit radiation on their own.

(With information from Hispan TV)