Will people one day land on Mars?

At their workplace, there is no air to breathe, no solid ground under their feet and that they are an extraterrestrial radiation - Astronauts working in an extremely hostile environment. The space shuttle "Endeavor" was now an experiment in Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel to the International Space Station ISS. Using special sensors, the scientists want to cosmic radiation measured by the effect on the astronauts. The sensors are in the European Columbus module on the ISS installed - the work of the laboratory space driver.

Cosmic radiation, for example, by stellar explosions, but also to our sun at so-called solar storms. Since the radiation on the Earth does not exist, nor anything about their biological effects. However, there is a risk that it triggers cancer. Therefore, in selecting the astronauts also made sure that in her family as a few tumors occurred.

Two years in space?

Researchers are still searching for the best materials to the astronauts before the radiation business. "We want to understand the risks of the various radiation originates and how the cells resist. Perhaps they are actively repairing the damage, "explains the physician Space Rupert Gerzer by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The uncertainty about the radiation, it is also, in the opinion of Gerzer the limiting factor for long-term missions.

American and Russian space agencies are already planning the construction of stations on the moon. This should, inter alia, as a base camp for a Mars mission to serve. According to the current state of the art would travel to Mars for at least two years. A huge challenge, says Space physician Oliver Ullrich of the Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg: "We know a lot about the first 30 days in space, but little about the aftermath." And about how the body of women's lives reacts in space. Because only ten percent of the astronauts are women. The crew during long flights, but it's a mixed crew.