Mars: Arrival versus survival

Curiosity rover  (NASA/JPL)

Although it is laudable that scientists are developing the means to transport humans to Mars, the venture may be tragic if we don’t yet have to means to ensure survival on that planet.

Once folks have actually landed (and that in itself is a challenge, due to the very thin atmosphere surrounding Mars), they will then be exposed to extremely fluctuating temperatures.

Loren Grush of Popular Science explains that the average there is “around -81 degrees Fahrenheit,” but that Mars temperatures can “swing wildly… from 86 degrees Fahrenheit near the equator to -284 degrees Fahrenheit near the poles.”

Because Mars has some atmosphere, as opposed to the vacuum conditions within the International Space Station, scientists will have to come up with new methods of protecting people from such temperature changes.

Although food and supply issues are somewhat similar to those facing Antarctica crews, Mars is a lot further “from mainstream civilization than Antarctica is.”  Self-sustainable farming skills that work well in an alien environment would therefore be essential to long-term colonization.

Grush points out the dilemma of providing enough CO₂ for crops to survive.  The CO₂ produced by people within the Mars colony would only be enough to meet “half the crew’s dietary requirements.”  Adding more people would not solve the problem since the need for food would then also increase.     

Resources

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/how-youll-die-on-mars/ar-BBkgkSH

Copyright May 27, 2015 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved