In mid 2021, the Mars Two crew was training for their upcoming departure from the World
Space Station when they received astounding news from the Mars One mission; they had found
a potentially huge source of water ice on Mars. Shortly after the mission was supposed
to have investigated the site, they received a second message from the missions commander,
Luke Graham, saying everyone else had died in a freak event, and that his Earth Return
Vehicle was crippled. He was stranded.
The Mars Two mission was then modified with reduced payload in order to leave ahead
of schedule, with a new mission to deliver replacement electronics to repair the ERV
and rescue Luke.
The most striking component of the spacecraft was its centrifuge, intended to provide artificial
gravity to reduce health issues during the long voyage to Mars.
This roomy centrifuge contained the crew's sleeping quarters and eating area,
as well as exercise and medical equipment.
It’s 11m diameter and rotational rate of 6 RPM created approximately 0.22g at the “floor”,
significantly lower than Mars surface gravity. Combined with the relatively high rotational speed,
the astronauts would’ve needed significant periods of adaptation for both the journey
to and arrival at Mars. A different design with a 22m diameter that rotated at 5.5 RPM
would’ve created artificial gravity very similar to that of Mars,
and would’ve needed much less adaptation time.
Just in front of the centrifuge was the command pod of the spacecraft, containing flight computers
and controls, as well as an oversized room for donning spacesuits. This whole front section
could also detach for atmospheric entry and landing. It likely achieved landing using
only parachutes, as it barely even had the capability to change its own orientation with
thrusters, let alone perform a propulsive landing.
"The control module doesn't have enough thrust to correct this rotation."
This was probably due to most of the rear area being wasted space, though perhaps this
volume was intended for scientific payload that was left behind. This empty area would
also be extremely awkward, or even impossible to move around in after landing.
Some of the computer interfaces in the rear of the command pod used touch screens. While
there are touchscreens in use in a real life spacecraft, they are only to be used for controlling
the spacecraft as a backup on an otherwise autonomous vehicle, and the crew still has
some physical buttons available. However, since the Mars Two crew was running a simulation
at the time, it may be that the real version of functions that were being performed
used a different interface on the flight deck.
Another one of the computers on board had a voice ID system, which at best was unfathomably
pointless, and at worst was downright dangerous. It's not like there was going to be a random
unauthorised person on board who might access the computer in order to do nefarious things,
and when Jim McConnell needed to use it to stop the centrifuge to save his own life,
he almost couldn’t do so.
As the Mars One disaster happened 8 months before the Mars Two launch was slated to happen,
the original Mars Two mission had to have much of its payload stripped, since leaving
earlier to rescue Luke Graham required using a less efficient trajectory.
Even though the original flight plan was adjusted, neither that nor the altered one made much
sense at first glance.
"What kind of rescue mission is this Jim?"
Before the change in mission, the Mars Two spacecraft had no way for the crew to return
to orbit, since the command capsule was likely intended to parachute to the surface like
the resupply module. It is possible that the return vehicle was supposed to be on its own
flight to Mars and was just unseen due to the expedited timeline. This also explains
why Earth didn’t simply send a fresh ERV to collect Luke Graham, as there may not have
been one available, whereas Mars Two was.
This does bring into question the plan for the safe return of the Mars Two astronauts,
assuming that they found Luke alive and well, and could repair the ERV. Presumably it only
had 4 seats on board for the original 4 Mars One astronauts, but there would’ve been
5 people returning from the rescue mission. Perhaps the Mars Two personnel were supposed
to to stay behind and take over custodianship of the base
while awaiting their own Return Vehicle.
While on that subject, the ERV does seem extremely small
for what was supposed to be a six month long trip back home.
Ultimately, the Mars Two spacecraft delivered its crew and precious cargo to Mars
in order to save Luke Graham,
and the mystery behind the near destruction of the Mars One mission
was revealed.
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