Mars dust storms pose minimal threat to future astronauts despite dramatic portrayals in fiction. Wind speeds max out at just 60 mph with atmospheric pressure only 1% of Earth's, meaning storms lack the force to damage major equipment or strand explorers.
Mars harbors dangerously powerful winds that exceed scientific predictions and frequently surpass dust-lifting thresholds. New research tracking over 1,000 dust devils reveals wind stresses systematically exceed climate model forecasts, with some reaching 160 km/h speeds.
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