Missions to Mars: GSI will investigate radiation risks for astronauts

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View inside the 120 meters long accelerator UNILAC at GSI used to generate the ion beams. Credit: G. Otto
View inside the 120 meters long accelerator UNILAC at GSI used to generate the ion beams. Credit: G. Otto

The European Space Agency (ESA) has chosen the GSI accelerator facility to assess radiation risks that astronauts will be exposed to on a Mars mission. GSI was selected because its accelerator is the only one in Europe able to create ion beams similar to those found in space. To determine possible health risks of manned space flights, scientists from all over Europe have been asked to investigate the effects of ion beams in human cells and organs. The first experiments will be launched this year and subsequently continued at GSI’s planned FAIR accelerator system.


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