Mars–Bound Instrument Detects Solar Burst’s Effects

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The largest solar particle event since 2005 has been detected by the radiation-
monitoring instrument aboard the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft, on its way from
Earth to Mars.

The Radiation Assessment Detector, inside the mission’s Curiosity rover tucked inside
the spacecraft, is measuring the radiation exposure that could affect a human astronaut
on a potential Mars mission. It has measured an increase resulting from a Jan. 22 solar
storm observed by other NASA spacecraft. No harmful effects to the Mars Science
Laboratory have been detected from this solar event.

For more information about what effects the radiation detector has measured, visit:
http://www.swri.org/9what/releases/2012/rad-solarstorm.htm .

Guy Webster 818-687-7708
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
Guy.webster@jpl.nasa.gov

2012-028

Source: JPL/NASA: Mars–Bound Instrument Detects Solar Burst’s Effects