From the complexities of getting humans there and back to the obstacles in living on the
red planet, today we look at Problems With Colonizing Mars.
Number 11. Journey To Mars Physically speaking, space travel can take
a major toll on the human body. Prolonged weightlessness and passing through the hazardous
radiation of the Earth's surrounding Van Allen Belt, which contains energetic charged particles
held in orbit by the planet's magnetic sphere, can have detrimental effects. Currently, the
longest a human has spent in space is 878 days by cosmonaut Gennady Padalka , with the
longest consecutive space flight lasting 438 days as piloted by cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov
. But Nasa plans to shatter those records with a planned 1100-day journey slated for
2028 at the soonest. This could result in the weakening of bones and muscles in those
aboard the spacecraft, along with the possibility of osteoporosis, cardiovascular complications,
and even cancer if not properly accounted for.
Number 10. Shuttle Obstacles There are many issues humans face in attempting
to settle on Mars, but before we as a species ever reach that point, scientists must first
tackle the problems faced in getting there. This begins with the spaceflight there. For
the most part, engineers and astronomers have the technology to make the trip, with multiple
robotic Mars missions being launched in the past two decades. However, cutting down on
travel time is the chief focus of improvement as the current voyage can take anywhere between
four and nine months depending on the methods and rockets used. Certain experimental rockets
have given scientists hope, though, in bringing this time down to as little as two weeks!
Perhaps an even larger obstacle will be landing, as the combination of relatively strong gravity
and thin atmosphere make safely docking a large, heavy spacecraft incredibly difficult.
A new form of landing systems, different from any used on the Moon or in robotic missions
to Mars will need to be developed before humans can safely reach the planet's surface.
Number 9. Atmospheric Pressure The human body is conditioned to Earth's specific
level of atmospheric pressure and exceeding or dropping below this level of pressure can
result in extremely dangerous results. Reaching a critically low point of pressure, referred
to as the Armstrong Limit, will cause water to boil at the normal temperature of humans,
meaning exposed fluids like saliva, tears, urine, and even liquids within the lungs will
boil too. Furthermore, breathable oxygen becomes impossible to sustain life for longer than
just a few minutes. Atmospheric pressure at Earth's sea level is equal to 14.69 pounds
of force per square inch, or PSI. In comparison, the Armstrong Limit is just .906 PSI, while
Mars has an average atmospheric pressure much lower at .087 PSI. To combat this, pressure
suits exist and have served high-altitude pilots since their inception in 1931 by USSR
engineer Ciann Downes . But those looking to settle for a long-term stays on the red
planet can't be expected to spend every waking minute inside one of these suits. In order
to cultivate a settlement, habitable structures with pressure vessels, like those used on
spacecraft, would need to be erected to offset the difference in pressure from Earth and
allow for residency on Mars.
Number 8. Surface Gravity Gravity on Mars is approximately 38 percent
of Earth's, and as such, this could pose a serious issue for humans looking to live there
for an extended period of time. Low gravity environments, or microgravity as it's known
scientifically, can have detrimental effects on the health of people. Initially, humans
in microgravity will experience space adaptation syndrome, also known as S.A.S. or space sickness,
with symptoms that include vertigo, vomiting, headaches, nausea, lethargy and overall malaise.
This has been shown to occur in 45 percent of adults who have flown through space, however
this condition has never lasted beyond 72 hours. Once the body adjusts to the change
in gravity, new hazards arise in the form of muscle atrophy and skeletal deterioration.
Because of the weightlessness of space, human muscles will begin to decrease in strength,
stamina, performance, and connective tissue integrity as the natural weight of Earth's
gravity is no longer around to keep them consistently toughened. Bone mass also decreases in these
weightless conditions, and the human body becomes all-around weaker, losing 1 percent
of bone mass per month in microgravity. Other side effects that occur in low-gravity states
include eyesight problems, a decrease in red blood cells, problems balancing, weakening
of the immune system, and slowing of the cardiovascular system. Mars does have stronger gravity than
that of open space, however it is not known at this time if the difference is significant
enough to avoid all of these symptoms.
Number 7. Freezing Temperatures The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth
was in Antarctica at a remarkably low -128.6 degrees Fahrenheit. But this frigid climate
isn't far from the norm for Mars, which has an average surface temperature ranging between
-125 and 23 degrees fahrenheit depending on season and location. Just like on Earth, though,
there are some extremes that can prove either comfortable or lethal for Earthlings. At the
equator, Mars can reach a high temperature of 68 degrees fahrenheit at noon, while the
lowest condition at either pole can drop as low as -243 degrees fahrenheit! Other methods
of measuring temperature on the red planet include a soil estimate of 81 degrees fahrenheit
and a daytime air temperature of 95 degrees fahrenheit, measured by the Viking Orbiter
and The Spirit rover respectively. While certain technological developments might be made to
allow humans to live through this planet's erratic temperature fluxuations, the reality
is that Mars may prove too cold to last for extended periods of time with such an unpredictable
and dangerous climate.
Number 6. Hydration Issues Looking at the surface of Mars, it's plain
to see that at one time, there was water on the now desolate planet. Two massive ice caps
of permafrost stretch across the poles of either longitudinal end of Mars, and tests
have shown that more frozen water exists below the red planet's surface. In fact, scientists
believe there is so much water on the planet, both under its surface and frozen in its ice
caps, that were it to be melted, it could cover the entirety of the planet to a depth
of 115 feet! Due to its atmospheric pressure level, though, it is impossible for a large
body of water to exist on Mars in its current state. It's thought that there was a time
billions of years ago in which the planet could have sustained microbial life forms,
but today Mars is in a subfreezing state and is extremely arid. But not all hope is lost,
as scientists investigate the area beneath the surface in hopes of finding some sort
of habitable environment.
Number 5. Solar Duality At a further distance from the Sun than Earth,
sunlight, which is an essential element in fostering the growth of most organisms and
ecosystems, isn't quite as plentiful on Mars. The rust-colored planet receives just 43.3
percent of the sunlight that Earth does. The thin atmosphere of Mars doesn't help either
as most of the heat and solar power that would reach the planet can't be contained in the
same greenhouse warming effect that Earth experiences. At the same time, though, Mars
has very little weather aside from dust storms and strong winds, allowing for near constant
solar irradiance. This would mean that, in theory, solar panels would be able to absorb
power from the Sun much more consistently than those on Earth. Scientists are still
researching whether or not this strange duality of the Mars environment can lead to the ability
to grow crops via insulated greenhouses.
Number 4. Dust Storms Coated in brick red deserts, Mars is plagued
by dust storms that grow so large, they can encompass the entirety of the planet. While
large and imposing, however, these storms aren't quite as dangerous as some of the natural
disasters that occur on Earth. The top speed of winds in a Martian dust storm have been
clocked at 60 miles per hour, which is only a fraction of the wind speed produced in hurricanes
on our planet. This goes back to the thin atmosphere of Mars, which keeps the intensity
of these storms rather timid in comparison to tornadoes or hurricanes on Earth. The dust
on Mars poses a different problem, though, in being electrostatic. It clings to surfaces
as its displaced by winds, and such a mineral coating could cause major complications for
machinery necessary for colonizing Mars. Engineers will need to compensate for this danger before
any usable technology can be developed for use on the red planet's surface.
Number 3. Erratic Orbit One Earth year, as most may know, requires
365 days to orbit around the Sun. Mars, on the other hand, takes 687 days to complete
its orbit at a speed of 24 kilometers per second. While Earth orbits in a near-circular
pattern, Mars revolves in a more elliptical-shaped direction, with the shape of its orbit deviating
further from a circle as time goes on. Because of this stark difference in orbit, seasons,
temperature, and solar exposure are much less consistent on Mars. If humans are to populate
the red planet in any capacity, thorough mapping and planning for such drastic climate changes
will need to be completed. And surviving those periods of time in which sunlight and temperature
are at their lowest will be one of the biggest obstacles for humans to overcome in that regard.
Number 2. Toxic Elements In addition to being a thin atmosphere responsible
for a good portion of the obstacles listed in this video, Mars has an incredibly toxic
atmosphere as well. The majority of it is composed of carbon dioxide, making up 95 percent
of the atmosphere, with 3 percent nitrogen, 1.6 percent argon, and .4 percent containing
a number of other elements, including small traces of oxygen, making up the remainder.
The atmosphere isn't the only source of toxicity on Mars, though, as Martian soil is also extremely
hazardous. Soil tests taken by rovers have found that high perchlorate compounds containing
chlorine exist throughout the surface of Mars. The amount found is not only toxic to humans,
but toxic to plants as well. Any vegetation attempting to be grown in such soil will most
likely grow undersized, lack oxidizing power in roots, and accumulate the toxic elements
within their leaves!
Number 1. Terraform Troubles One of the most commonly referenced processes
by scientists hoping to colonize Mars is terraforming. This concept would involve engineering the
surface and climate of the planet to make it safe for habitation by humans, theoretically
speaking. But to pull off such an ambitious endeavor would require a massive investment,
both in terms of financing as well as natural resources. And with dissenting opinions on
the amount of accessible C.O.2 on Mars, an integral ingredient to fostering a livable,
breathable environment on the planet's surface, researchers aren't even sure if terraforming
would be possible! Further technological advancements will need to be made before this concept can
make the shift from science fiction to reality.