Major announcement by NASA about Mars (in 5 1/2 hours time)

Originally posted by whodey
Radiation is not just a Martian problem, it's a space travel problem in general.

Until this is solved, which it may never be, we are stuck on earth.

Actually, the solution is fairly simple: just dig a hole in the ground and the rock will shield against radiation.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
Actually, the solution is fairly simple: just dig a hole in the ground and the rock will shield against radiation.

Well that's great, how do they get to the hole in the ground?

Additionally, is man prepared to live in a hole in the ground?

Originally posted by whodey
Well that's great, how do they get to the hole in the ground?

Additionally, is man prepared to live in a hole in the ground?

Well that's great, how do they get to the hole in the ground?

I believe there is a trick one can use called "digging."

Additionally, is man prepared to live in a hole in the ground?

Yes.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
[b]Well that's great, how do they get to the hole in the ground?

I believe there is a trick one can use called "digging."

Additionally, is man prepared to live in a hole in the ground?

Yes.[/b]

They won't do a hole in the ground, it would be much simpler just to dig a horizontal tunnel at the base of a mountain. You could have radiation resistant windows showing the outside if you want.

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
[b]Well that's great, how do they get to the hole in the ground?

I believe there is a trick one can use called "digging."

Additionally, is man prepared to live in a hole in the ground?

Yes.[/b]

I have the option of jumping off a bridge or continuing this this conversation...............................................................................................OK I will continue with the conversation.

How do they actually get to Mars without being devestated with radiation from outer space?

In other words, how do they get to Mars to dig the hole?

http://www.wired.com/2015/10/nasa-digs-idea-robots-build-igloos-mars/

http://www.marsicehouse.com/

Viable plan for constructing above ground habitats on Mars with current technology.

Originally posted by googlefudge
http://www.wired.com/2015/10/nasa-digs-idea-robots-build-igloos-mars/

http://www.marsicehouse.com/

Viable plan for constructing above ground habitats on Mars with current technology.

I didn't see anything there that would protect against radiation from a coronal discharge.

Originally posted by sonhouse
I didn't see anything there that would protect against radiation from a coronal discharge.

What would protect humans from radiation as they travelled to Mars?

Originally posted by whodey
What would protect humans from radiation as they travelled to Mars?

Vasimr engine. It's an electric powered rocket, gets you there in about a month, 6 times faster than what we have now. So you simply spend less time in space. That protects you against long term background radiation and coronal discharges, statistically you are safer going very fast:

http://www.space.com/23613-advanced-space-propulsion-vasimr-engine.html

Originally posted by sonhouse
Vasimr engine. It's an electric powered rocket, gets you there in about a month, 6 times faster than what we have now. So you simply spend less time in space. That protects you against long term background radiation and coronal discharges, statistically you are safer going very fast:

http://www.space.com/23613-advanced-space-propulsion-vasimr-engine.html

Great, how fast can they dig a hole to live in?

Originally posted by sonhouse
I didn't see anything there that would protect against radiation from a coronal discharge.

Water ice is a very good radiation shield, the double thickness of ice is more than enough.

EDIT: Shielding from radiation in space is only hard because of the mass budget.
As this habitat is built on Mars with water ice present in the environment that is not an issue.

Originally posted by whodey
Great, how fast can they dig a hole to live in?

The habitat is built by robots before they arrive.

EDIT: In fact it's built before they leave Earth, they don't set off until they have a home
to live in at their destination.

Originally posted by whodey
What would protect humans from radiation as they travelled to Mars?

As short a journey time as possible, as large and well shielded spacecraft as possible,
and an internal radiation bunker in which to ride out short lived solar storms.

Radiation levels in space [inside a space craft/station] are high enough to kill/do serious harm
if you are exposed for a long enough period of time.

It's possible to travel to Mars in less than that time.

Originally posted by sonhouse
They won't do a hole in the ground, it would be much simpler just to dig a horizontal tunnel at the base of a mountain. You could have radiation resistant windows showing the outside if you want.

Martian smials!

Originally posted by googlefudge
As short a journey time as possible, as large and well shielded spacecraft as possible,
and an internal radiation bunker in which to ride out short lived solar storms.

Radiation levels in space [inside a space craft/station] are high enough to kill/do serious harm
if you are exposed for a long enough period of time.

It's possible to travel to Mars in less than that time.

See my post about the Vasimr engine, above.