Part 3/12:
Traveling to Mars presents considerable challenges. A journey could take about three months under optimal conditions, but astronauts would be exposed to harmful cosmic radiation for the duration of their voyage. Mitigating radiation exposure is crucial; strategies include building spacecraft with materials rich in hydrogen or constructing magnetic shields—though the latter remains in the experimental stage.
Communication with Earth presents another challenge due to the time delay caused by the distance. Responses to emergencies or equipment failures could take anywhere from 3 to 22 minutes, making real-time assistance impractical.