The idea of sending people to Mars in hopes of colonizing the planet has long been out of the realm of possibilities but big thinkers like Elon Musk are determined to keep trying (link).
From what you have learned from this class:
Why is Mars considered so inhospitable?
What would be needed to ensure humans could survive on Mars? In particular, where would we get our food, our oxygen, our water and our energy?
If you were tasked with sending people to Mars, give a time-line of how they would get there, what would they bring, how long would they stay and what advice you would give anyone who wanted to go?
Make sure to:
Write a short essay or paragraph of at least 300 words.
Use concrete examples/details and avoid generalities.
Address all questions.
Use proper grammar and punctuation.
If you researched your topic and are using information from what you learned, remember to cite your sources.
Include at least 2 references in your discussion and cite your sources.
Do not plagiarize.
You will not be able to edit your assignment once you post, so please proofread and spell check before hitting post!
As part of the assignment, you must also reply to ONE of your classmates with at least 150 words. You will have to POST FIRST to see your classmates’ postings. Make sure your replies are thoughtful and relevant to what your classmate has posted. Try to build the discussion and keep it going.
reply to student #1
Life on Mars? Never would I have thought to have any sort of life on Mars. Mars is a very cold and has no water type of place. There is this very toxic chemical compound called Perchlorate, which consists of salt and chlorine. This chemical is used a lot in rocket fuels, scientists have found that Perchlorate is produced in the soil from Mars. The soil Mars produces isnt just Perchlorate is other chemicals we have yet to discover which could be even worse.
The article in the link states there would be a base by 2028. That is very emotional, I believe humans will make it livable. There is this light that kills the type of bacteria or chemical that is produced in Mars. Having a base full of supplies will be one logic idea so the people there would survive. The water will be used the same way we use in on Earth, since Mars has gravity. The oxygen can be split into parts to breathe and survive, it should be stored in the base for emergency reasons as well. Regarding the food, I believe plant based would be ideal and easy to store on the base. Maybe when killing the bacteria, the Martians could grow some type of vegetable.
My main advice to the selected few people heading to Mars would be curious. Being 21 and older if a must/ If you arent curious, I wouldnt persuade you to go. Another advice would be creative and resourceful, we will need very enthusiastic and creative people to attend. Staying in Mars for six months would be more than enough time to experience and encounter with Mars. It is enough time for the person to adapt and see how to make Mars a place to occasionally visit to make it a livable place, if that makes sense. With the technology we have and will have in the future, Life on Mars is a more believable idea than ever now.
Cite:
https://image.gsfc.nasa.gov/poetry/venus/q2811.html
https://www.space.com/41935-mars-base-alpha-2028-elon-musk.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/02/elon-musk-defends-plans-to-build-community-on-mars-after-nasa-report.html
