Man could survive on Mars

Sydney Morning Herald ^ | 12/10/03 | Sydney Morning Herald

[ambrose]

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December 10, 2003

Man could survive a mission to Mars according to NASA scientists, who say experiments on board the Mars Odyssey craft prove that humans could endure the planet's harsh conditions.

The results show that radiation around Mars might cause some health problems, but scientists told the BBC that humans could survive the conditions.

The research from NASA's Odyssey module, orbiting Mars for two years and sending back information to scientists on Earth, was presented at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.

On Earth, humans are protected from the worst cosmic radiation with the planet's magnetic field acting like a shield, diverting radiation away.

For astronauts on the Martian surface - or travelling between Earth and Mars - there is no such protection.

NASA scientists have been measuring radiation around Mars with an instrument on board the Mars Odyssey orbiting probe.

Astronauts on Mars would be exposed to roughly double the radiation dose that they experience on the International Space Station, said Cary Zeitlin from the National Space Biomedical Research Institute.

"The dose that astronauts would receive on a Mars mission is large enough to be beyond what they've experienced in Earth orbit," Dr Zeitlin told the BBC.

"Therefore it opens some questions about the biological effects of this radiation that we haven't really fully addressed yet."

This radiation could perhaps lead to more cancers, more cataracts and nervous system damage.

But overall it was manageable and humans could go on Mars missions relatively safely, Dr Zeitlin said.

They would need to use the planet itself to shield them, building their shelters in hollows, and perhaps taking materials that would reduce radiation further.

Ironically, the instrument used to measure the radiation, named Marie, has itself been damaged, apparently beyond repair, by excessive radiation from the Sun.

It stopped functioning following a massive solar flare in October.

But NASA said it sent back enough data before its demise to reassure them about the feasibility of human missions to Mars.

AAP

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/09/1070732210342.html

[Dr. Marten]

I remember reading an article in Popular Science a few years back about the "Terraformation of Mars"...anyone see it?

[ElkGroveDan]

Maybe the locals would help.

[VadeRetro]

I'll happily volunteer to be one of the first colonists to Mars.

Well, I reckon I'm too old now ... (Translation: "No! I don't want to DIE!")

[ElkGroveDan]

Yes, I know what happened to Arnold when he slid down that hole until the atmosphere kicked in.

He did the same thing when he got to Sacramento and met Jacki Goldberg.

[nightdriver]

"Some hard science (FACTS), with a little explanation for us who are not scientists, would be greatly appreciated."

Atmospheric pressure (average) is equivalent to the Earth's at about 100,000 foot elevation; Atmosphere is about 95% CO₂, the rest unbreatheable; Gravity is about one-third that of earth; Average temperature is about -60 degrees F.

Sure sounds people friendly to me! (/sarc.)

[ElkGroveDan]

Atmospheric pressure (average) is equivalent to the Earth's at about 100,000 foot elevation

OK so all we have to do is dig a 100,000 foot hole and live there.

[ambrose]

I believe that it averages 60 degrees F during the day on the Martian equator. Not too bad.

As for the rest, the key is to tap into the underground caverns where the Martians reside.

[Gumption]

I've never heard of a millibar of atmospheric pressure so it can't be THAT important.

[ambrose]

Of course, for all we know, the Martians could be playing with our intstruments, hoping to fool us into not colonizing their planet.

[ambrose]

[Paladin2]

Top of Pikes Peak = ~500 mb?
Top of Everest = ?

[humblegunner]

I'll wait patiently for the Pathfinder or the New Frontiers
or even, God forbid, the Enterprise to knock out the job.

Actually, I expect private enterprise like the Gay Deciever or the Dora to make the pathway.

But I'm a hopeless romantic.

[festus]

And on the fifth day, Al Gore invented Mars.......

[Las Vegas Dave]

I'm willing to bet that there are democRATS at the coming Iowa caucus who would believe that your Wal-Mart on Mars photo is genuine!

[djf]

A sweet and dear old friend of mine went to Llahsa. She immediately got sick and was in bed for days. The third day, a local matron grandmotherly type came by and gave her some herbs.

She was out of bed and well within an hour. Being under 5 feet tall probably helped her too!

Tough little Irish witch, that gal! Broke my heart...
twice.

[ambrose]

Titan will one day being a mining outpost. The wealth of minerals which are present there is quite amazing.

[ambrose]

Titan will one day be a mining outpost. The wealth of minerals which are present there is quite amazing.

[F16Fighter]

"I know what happened to Arnold when he slid down that hole until the atmosphere kicked in."

Ambrose, if you saw 'Total Recall', you know you just may mutate -- grow a third boob, OR second private-part, and only wind up hanging out at Martian whorehouses....

And who among us can forget Ahnold's stretching out his acting capabilities in this movie? "Give dah peeple air, Cohagen!"

[microgood]

Maybe the locals would help.

We need to capture the leader so they can show us where the gold is.

[Jet Jaguar]

I was very surprised today. Fox News reported that the temp in NYC was colder that that on mars (where the rover is currently). They reported the temp on Mars was 12 degrees F.
I survived -56 F for two weeks one winter. If the temp can get as warm as 12 F, it is feasable (sp) that the temp could get above 32 F. Just thinking.