Estimation of the Neutron Component of the Radiation Background in the Gale Crater on Mars

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the analysis of the neutron component of the radiation background on Mars in the Gale crater, where the NASA Curiosity rover conducts its research. Numerical estimates have shown that the effective dose rate for neutrons at the maximum flux of galactic cosmic rays varies along the rover path by 20% in the range of 92–108 μSv/day. This variation is mainly driven by the variable content of subsurface water, which ranges from 0.5 to 5% mass fraction along the rover path. The estimates obtained are comparable with the measurements of the RAD radiation dosimeter. The comparison with doses from charged particles shows that the contribution of the neutron component on the surface of Mars to the total dose with no radiation protection is 10%, which should be taken into account when planning manned missions to Mars.