Final Project

Alana M.

Legislator:  Elvira Reyna, Representative

There are many problems that it is necessary for the human race to solve before it will be possible to even consider realistically establishing a colony on Mars. Currently, we are unaware of much information that could prove to be vitally important to the survival of a colony. We do not know how much carbon dioxide is present in the polar ice caps or even what causes the dust storms that could be very dangerous to colonists. We cannot protect our astronauts from radiation while they are in transit to Mars and currently, we are not even certain how to keep life support systems running until the astronauts can reach the red planet. There are many difficulties that NASA will have to overcome before sending humans to Mars. Temperature, atmosphere, and the lack of water and oxygen are only a few of the factors that threaten future Mars colonists.

One of the most popular solutions to Mars’ lack of breathable atmosphere is to restore it to the thick-atmosphered, warm planet scientists believe it was many centuries ago. At the current average temperature of about -55 degrees Celsius, it is impossible to store liquid water. The atmosphere is very thin and the planet lacks an ozone layer to protect the colonists from cosmic radiation or solar flares. Creating a greenhouse effect might possibly solve these problems. By using super greenhouse gases like the artificially created perfluorocarbons, scientists may be able to warm the planet sufficiently to get it to release the carbon dioxide frozen in its polar ice caps. Once the gas is released, it will contribute to the greenhouse effect which is such a disastrous problem on Earth, but will prove necessary to warm Mars. Perfluorocarbons have several advantages. They are called super greenhouse gases because they not only have a long life, they go a long way. A little bit of this gas will warm the globe a lot. The gases cause no known negative effects on life, and they do not deplete the ozone layer that scientists hope will form over Mars. Unfortunately, this method of warming the planet is very slow. With a great deal of the perfluorocarbons over a long period of time, the planet only warms by about eight degrees. This is indeed a noticeable improvement, but at that rate it will take roughly eight centuries to make the planet habitable for terran life.

There is also some controversy over the best location for such a colony. Whether it is a better idea to place the habitat near the equator, where it is warmer, or near the poles, where there supposedly is water ice frozen, is a bone of contention. It is also difficult for scientists to agree on whether to build near mountains for their mining possibilities or whether to locate the colony near valleys because it would be easier to dig for possible underground liquid water supplies and possible microbial life forms. Another question raised is whether it is smarter to build the colony underground where there is greater protection from radiation or on the surface of Mars where it is easier to explore the rest of the planet.

Unlike current short-term missions, long-term flights like the one to Mars require different life support systems. Short-term missions like the Apollo flights can take everything they will need for the trip and dump the waste materials as they are underway. Cost and power as well as space are prohibitive factors to this method when attempting a flight to Mars. So much food, oxygen, and water would be required for this flight that the size of the rocket would prevent it from getting off the ground, especially with the current rocket technology. The ship that would be needed to get us to Mars would have to be assembled in space like the International Space Station. The cost of sending the foodstuffs and water into space requires a new form of life support system. While current missions use a physicochemical process to produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, the longer flights need a bioregenerative system. The models being considered use plants and microbes to recycle much of the waste gases and water. One of the models, the CELSS or closed ecological life support system grows food and uses biological components for synthesis, purification, and regeneration of materials needed. It also uses a microwave incinerator to deal with the waste the astronauts produce. One astronaut produces 67 pounds of waste a day. The incinerator oxidizes solid waste into carbon dioxide and water. Both of these components can be used to grow plants. The remaining waste is reduced to about 10% of its original mass and is turned to ash by the 1000 degree Celsius temperature in the incinerator. This also protects the crew from diseases.

A factor which needs consideration is also the fact that the atmosphere on Mars consists mainly of carbon dioxide. Oxygen must be produced on the planet as well, and the pressure on Mars is considerably lower than here on Earth. If the pressure is not somehow equalized, the astronauts will have to cope with symptoms similar to altitude sickness. They will have headaches and feel constantly short of breath. They will also experience nausea and lightheadedness. Any one of these symptoms would make it virtually impossible for the astronauts to perform their assigned tasks well and live comfortably. Oxygen can be gained from electrolysis which is the method being employed on the International Space Station at the time being. Electricity is sent through water which separates into its elements, hydrogen and oxygen. This method uses a lot of energy, though, and it also requires water, which is in scarce supply on Mars as far as we know at the moment. Photosynthesis, or oxygen produced by plants from carbon dioxide and sunlight is also a method of winning oxygen. This could be implemented by attaching the greenhouses to the living quarters. That way the two groups of life forms would have direct access to the gas they need which is the waste product of the other organism. Yet another way of getting oxygen on Mars is to extract it from the soil as is planned on a colony on the Moon. This method also requires a great deal of energy. A more energy-efficient way of gaining oxygen needs to be found to make colonization of Mars more practicable.

Many scientists argue over whether all of NASA’s efforts should be concentrated on Mars, or whether a colony on the Moon would be a good stepping-stone to Mars. Those advocating going directly to Mars believe that the nation needs a goal, a purpose that people can dream of, a novel project. They feel that there is little more to be learned on the Moon. Other scientists believe that the Moon is an ideal testing ground for a colony on Mars. The effects of long time habitation in space can be studied and the physical and psychological effects of living on a planet other than Earth can be analyzed in greater depth. Other, technological advantages are to be had as well. Not only can we improve our oxygen refinery techniques, we can learn ways to shield from radiation and ways of coping with temperature extremes. I feel that a colony on the Moon should definitely be attempted before we try to establish one on Mars. It would be a good refueling station on the way to the red planet. Aside from that, currently there is too much that is unknown about Mars. We have no idea what causes the dust storms that envelop the entire globe and would definitely be a problem. We know little about the presence of water or trace elements that could prove beneficial or threatening to colonists. Scientists also need to address the possibility of native life on Mars. While we believe that no life exists on this barren planet, recent studies have shown that it may be possible for microbial life to exist underground. We need more time to study Mars before attempting to build a colony there, but we need to train for the possibility at the same time. The Moon offers a perfect solution to this dilemma. 

I think more study needs to go into developing a bioregenerative life support system. The current systems are still experimental. Although scientists believe that plants and other biological life can totally replace the physicochemical life support systems, their hypothesis is as of the moment unproven. Considerable thought and preparation needs to go into the choice of colonists as well. They must prove that they have leadership skills and are innovative enough to survive far from NASA supervision. They must be able to get along with the group and must be able to work well with people from any sex, nationality, or religion. Any type of innate prejudice is certain to rise to the surface if the object thereof is apparent in such a cramped environment for such a prolonged period of time. The future colonists must be healthy enough, mentally and physically, and old enough to withstand the hazards of such a long space voyage. More time needs to be spent on developing adequate space craft to transport such a large quantity of people. One of the major concerns is the medical facilities available on board. With such a large number of passengers, medical emergencies are practically a given fact. So trained doctors and nurses and a well-equipped sickbay are necessary before attempting the journey to Mars which will take at least a year (I think) with our current technology. We also must research the effects of the lower pressure and gravity on any plants, animals, and people we expect to send to the red planet. As the journey to Earth is very long and the communications are not exactly the swiftest, the colonists will have to be essentially self-reliant. Any emergency they may experience will have to be handled by locals as help from Earth will be too late to do any good.

The government of the Mars colony will have to reflect their isolated situation as well as the good examples they are basing it on. As there are certain to be people of different backgrounds with conflicting ethical beliefs, the constitution and laws must be well thought out and agreed to before establishing any permanent settlement on Mars. As the colony grows in size, the people will have to adapt. The early form of government including all of the settlers will have to make way for a type of representative government. The number of people available and skilled enough to be capable of holding public office will be very few, especially at the beginning, which makes it important that there be a rotation in office. This is necessary to curb the power of any one individual from growing too influential.

As is evident from this information, NASA has many obstacles before them on the path to establishing a permanent colony on Mars. None of these hindrances is insurmountable, though. With enough research in similar environments such as Antarctica and the Moon, it should not prove difficult to solve each and every one of the problems facing the space colonization program. The time needed to research this can also be used to select and train promising astronauts for the mission. It will also allow time to study Mars and may witness new scientific developments which will make establishing a colony safer and easier. New technologies that will speed up rockets, medical innovations that will shield from radiation, or international cooperation may facilitate such a venture.

Last Updated:  09/10/01