Manned missions to Mars and chromosome damage.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the frequencies of dicentric chromosomes in peripheral lymphocytes of astronauts on missions to Mars.


METHODS
Calculations of expected frequencies of dicentrics are based on dose estimations and lymphocyte biology.


RESULTS
Frequencies of dicentrics are predicted to be 10-40 times higher than the background level.


CONCLUSIONS
Stressing the importance of careful mission planning and optimized shielding of transfer vehicle to Mars.
Obe
G
G
University of Essen, Department of Genetics, Germany.
Facius
R
R
Reitz
G
G
Johannes
I
I
Johannes
C
C
D018480:Astronauts; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D018559:Exobiology; D006801:Humans; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D018535:Mars; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D018561:Space Simulation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000528:radiation effects*