Human Health Risk Assessment of Space Radiation

Mars has been the topic of colonization and discovery for the last few decades but there have been hindrances in implementing the mission. This focus on Mars colonization has only deepened after the discovery of water on its surface. The discovery of water on Mars has led researchers to believe that its sustainability of life is higher than any other uncolonized planet. Although, life can survive on Mars, it is highly unethical to send communities to Mars without acknowledging the risks, especially those concerning the well being of humans. The risks of living on Mars are slowly unraveling through extensive research, but it is evident that certain health care measures must be taken in order to prevent potentially fatal conditions. One of the biggest problems is health concerns that astronauts face after returning from Mars. Health problems in space have been increasingly difficult to deal with because of the lasting circumstances that astronauts suffer upon returning back to Earth. As a result of these issues, NASA has delayed its Mars mission to circa 2028. Another aspect that must be considered is the impact of potential health hazards on different age groups, specifically teenagers and younger children. Younger children typically are more prone to have more severe reactions to the same issues adults may react slightly better with. Space radiation is different than other kinds of radiation that people may be faced with on Earth, namely due to the lack of electrons in the atoms. The entire dynamic of space radiation is completely different than other types as research has proven. Various characteristics of the radiation directly cause some of the most deadliest diseases known to humankind, such as cancer. This research concerns the dose response model of space radiation towards humans on Mars.