AN OVERVIEW OF MSL/RAD MEASUREMENTS ON THE SURFACE OF MARS FROM 2012 TO 2026

Kurzfassung

One major obstacle of space exploration remains the exposure to space radiation that future human explorers of the outer space would be exposed to. On Mars, this exposure dominantly comes from the continuous, impinging GCR radiation and sporadic, but highly impactful solar particle eruptions. Here, we present measurements conducted by the MSL/RAD instrument on board NASA’s Curiosity rover which aim to assess the radiation environment on the surface of Mars. We will give a concise overview of the surface radiation dose measurements conducted by MSL/RAD over the past 14 years and put them into context with the changing heliospheric modulation conditions throughout the previous, changing solar cycles.