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That is not true; the heavy ion component of galactic cosmic radiation in particular is the single biggest risk factor in going to Mars (other than the spacecra
by idlewords 4y ago
That is not true; the heavy ion component of galactic cosmic radiation in particular is the single biggest risk factor in going to Mars (other than the spacecraft breaking).
- JumpCrisscross 4y ago> galactic cosmic radiation in particular is the single biggest risk factor in going to Mars Sorry, I was unclear. It’s absolutely an issue going to Mars. It isn’t front and centre on Mars.
- idlewords 4y agoIt is, though. It's about half as bad on Mars (since the planet physically blocks half the sky) but it remains a showstopper. And trying to shield against it runs you into the problem of getting heavy construction equipment to Mars, plus you run afoul of rules against contamination that we're bound by international treaty to follow, including a ban on digging.
- throwawaytemp29 4y agoLol - let’s have a Mars colony without digging.
- JumpCrisscross 4y ago> rules against contamination that we're bound by international treaty to follow, including a ban on digging Is this OST related? Or Mars specific?
- idlewords 4y agoIt's the Outer Space Treaty as interpreted by COSPAR, which has introduced concepts (like Special Regions) that are unique to Mars. One Special Region is defined as anything more than 5m underground.