A model for Mars radiation environment characterization

Abstract

A modeling framework for the prediction of the Martian radiation environment is presented. Features include input solar cycle modulated cosmic ray and solar particle event spectra, based both on CREME-96, the transport of this radiation in the Martian atmosphere and regolith, including creation of secondaries, using the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit. Details of the atmosphere are derived from the European Mars Climate Database with a dense topological grid and layering of the atmosphere. Seasonal and diurnal variations are considered. Surface topology is derived from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and geology is modeled. The outputs are full particle transport histories, maps of radiation fluxes, and doses. The model will be applied to future European Mars missions.