Scientists and researchers have studied the radiation effects of many different types of animals. And what they found is every species handles radiation a little bit differently, but no complex species on Earth is completely immune to its challenges. It would be incomprehensible, and inhumane to conduct radiation experiments on human beings. Nevertheless, it is important that we do these studies to learn of the radiation effects, the long-term exposures which will be incurred by those that travel on space exploration missions.
Now then, we wouldn't wish the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan on anyone. And we wouldn't wish to have the radiation effects of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan on any humans. However, since these events have already occurred, and we can't stop that now, perhaps we should spend some money and study these long-term radiation effects. Now is the time to start gathering data, as it will help us understand radiation exposure and the long-term health effects.
Why is this important you ask? Well, if we are going to send people to Mars and back, they will be traveling through deep space for 10 Months each way. And even in the future when we have super incredible propulsion systems it would still be a minimum of 3 Months each way. In fact, there was an interesting article in Space Ref Online not long ago titled; "Deep-space travel could create heart woes for astronauts (with video)" posted on April 7, 2011, in collaboration with the University of Alabama Birmingham.
Go ahead and go to look up that article online, and read it and then come back to this article so we can discuss this a little further. We know of some of the radiation challenges from our international space station, but we also know that it is protected by the Earth much of the time. A spaceship on its way to Mars would not be protected or shielded by anything other than the craft itself, that is to say the skin on the outside.
The people inside would be exposed to higher radiation levels, and there's not much we can do about that right now with our current technology. We need to know the risks, the real risks and pit that data against the expected exposure rates for such a mission.
Perhaps you can understand why this is relevant, and why we should spend the money to do this research. Indeed I hope you will please think about this and consider it. If you have any comments, concerns, and/or questions please feel free to contact me.
Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.