Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) finally measures radiation on the Martian surface

The Payload deck of the Marsrover "Curiosity". The RAD instrument is right below the dark round entrance window on the left side of the image.

After six years of development the Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) finally measures radiation on the Martian surface. Essential methods for measuring charged and neutral particles with the RAD instrument were developed by the SpaceLife students Bent Ehresmann and Jan Köhler.

During his journey from Earth to Mars the detector already collected data of the GCR background and several solar vents.The data will help to determine the radiation hazard for astronauts on future manned missions and will help to answer the question whether life ever arose on Mars.