Settlers will face serious problems with Mars dust

NASA announced during an important conference held last week that it plans to send a manned mission to Mars around the year 2030. However, in addition to having to develop new technologies to make travel possible, one of the problems with which Space agency will have to deal with is the danger that the dust present in the atmosphere of the Red Planet poses to astronauts and possible colonizers.

According to the New Scientist, the researchers and health experts who attended the conference debated a great deal on this issue, revealing great concern about the results of the interaction of silicates in the atmosphere and the water that makes up the lung tissues. humans.

Dust

Another concern is perchlorates, which can also be found in abundance and can be harmful to the thyroid gland, in addition to the gypsum, which was detected by the Curiosity space probe and, although not very toxic, can accumulate in the lungs and cause problems in the long run.

According to experts, although travelers do not have to directly breathe in Martian "air" - since there is not enough oxygen for human respiration - the problem is that dust could cover the space suits and equipment and be carried inside. modules and easily spread across these environments. In addition, their presence could end up clogging air filters, water purifiers and other vital instruments.