Highlights

• The study presents a novel analysis of how various particles (electrons, photons, pions, muons, protons, alpha particles, and heavy ions) contribute to the radiation dose absorbed by the human body in space, an important factor in crewed space exploration.
• It showcases a detailed simulation aligning closely with Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) data, analyzing the impact of different types of space radiation, such as neutrons, photons, protons, and various particle groups on the human body.
• The research uniquely calculates the radiation dose received by the human body on the Mars surface, emphasizing the significant variation in doses absorbed by different organs, a critical consideration for future Mars missions.

Summary

Junliang Chen and his team conducted a pivotal study addressing the critical issue of space radiation for crewed missions on Mars. The study’s primary objective was to analyze the radiation doses absorbed by the human body from various particles on Mars and how these doses vary across different organs. This aspect is crucial for astronaut safety, given the variations in radiation impact on different body parts.

One of the key findings of this research was the higher radiation levels on the Martian surface compared to Earth. This discovery underscores the importance of developing effective radiation shielding for astronauts. The team also investigated the shielding capabilities of Martian soil, calculating the potential radiation exposure for astronauts on Mars.

Significantly, the researchers determined the average absorbed and equivalent radiation doses for the human body. They found that the effective radiation dose at a depth of 1.5 meters on Mars falls within the recommended limits for occupational exposure, a promising insight for future Martian expeditions.

Precisely estimating radiation doses is vital for the success of deep-space missions. The study provided detailed data in this regard, noting, for example, that the brain is subject to the highest equivalent radiation dose, at 234.1 ± 8.0 mSv/year, according to RAD data. The researchers also computed equal doses for various organs, considering the quality of radiation sources.

Overall, this study offers crucial information about the Martian radiation environment and is a significant step forward in preparing for human missions to Mars. By tackling the challenge of space radiation and its impact on human health, the research contributes significantly to the safety and success of future space exploration endeavors.

J.-L. Chen, S.-J. Yun, T.-K. Dong, Z.-Z. Ren, and X.-P. Zhang, “Studies of the radiation environment on the Mars surface using the Geant4 toolkit,” NUCL SCI TECH, vol. 33, no. 1, p. 11, Jan. 2022, doi: .