UNITED STATES: Mars has so far been the exclusive preserve of space robots. Numerous spacecraft have passed by, orbited, and even landed on the Red Planet over the past 60 years. However, compared to machines, humans were capable of working more quickly and adaptably. Not to mention that landing on Mars would mark a significant turning point in space research. The United States, China, and other nations desire to send people to Mars for this reason. But making it through this expedition would not be simple.
The longest journey in human history would be to Mars. It would take at least six months for astronauts to go to Planet Mars, which is typically 225 million kilometers (140 million miles) away. (Returning home would take at least another six months). But it only took a few days for the Apollo astronauts to reach the moon.
The length of a journey to Planet Mars entails several additional health dangers, even though space travel is never without risk. For starters, spending extended amounts of time in microgravity damages bones and muscles. Additionally, it permits the accumulation of fluid in the head, which puts pressure behind the eyes and impairs eyesight. Machines with artificial gravity might be helpful.
Then again, there’s the issue of space radiation. Astronauts close to the Earth are shielded from high-energy cosmic rays by the planet’s magnetic field. The risk of cancer and other illnesses may increase due to those charged particles. However, on longer trips, astronauts might spend months in the elements. Specific vitamins may lessen the effects. However, researchers are still figuring out the specifics.
To launch from Earth, Mars explorers will need to take minimal supplies. However, they won’t be able to replenish their supplies as space station personnel can. Growing lettuce and other foods in orbit provide an experience for the astronauts on the space station.
Additionally, engineers are working on 3-D printing technologies that could enable future Mars explorers to construct the required tools. The astronauts themselves may provide the materials for those tools. For instance, yeast that produces materials for making plastic may be fed astronaut pee.
A Mars colony would be significantly harder to establish and maintain.
Scientists are devising methods for astronauts to use materials on Mars because they cannot transport building supplies from Earth. Additionally, long-term guests would require a lot of oxygen to breathe. The foundation for a future Mars oxygen production is now being laid by a component on NASA’s Perseverance rover. The instrument separates oxygen from carbon dioxide molecules, making up most of Mars’ atmosphere.
Planning for a mission to Mars involves more than just safeguarding the crew. Another goal is to keep astronauts off Mars. Microbes are everywhere in humans. And their proliferation could jeopardies efforts to find life on Mars. Ensuring Earth pathogens don’t infect other planets is a crucial component of ethical space travel.
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