As global space agencies continue to make plans for colonizing Mars, scientists have identified a variety of materials that can serve as protection against hazardous cosmic radiation. This study, led by researchers from the University of Patras and NYU Abu Dhabi, evaluated different materials using computer modeling and actual data from NASA's Curiosity rover. The development has implications for the safety of astronauts on extended Mars missions, as the planet's arid and exposed environment poses a significant risk for prolonged human exposure to radiation.