The colonization of Mars is one of the many projects scientists and researchers are developing in space exploration. Many highly advanced technologies are needed in order to co-habit the red planet. It is debatable on whether the existing technologies are enough to facilitate the colonization of Mars; however, more technologies are likely necessary to guarantee the survival of humans and life on Mars. The major question being asked is: how technologically feasible is the colonization of Mars? This essay will go into detail and answer that question.
A project named, Mars One, is on a mission to colonize Mars. One protocol of the project is to send four astronauts to Mars with the task to create settlements for humans. Other astronauts will follow later. In the plan to colonize Mars, the passengers to go will not be able to return back to Earth (Mars-One, 2014). The trip includes a one way ticket. The project aims at building a human colony in Mars by the year 2025. Scientists have looked into the feasibility of this mission, and found that existing technologies are not enough to guarantee human survival on the red planet. Scientists have concluded that new technologies need to be developed to sustain human life on the planet.
Mars One’s communications system is advanced and remains in contact with the planet almost 24/7. They deployed three satellites in orbit to maintain communication with the red planet. Except once every 26 months the sun is exactly between Earth and Mars. During this opposition, Mars One loses communication for about two hours. This occurred on April 8, 2014, please see chart below.
A picture showing opposition (Chu, 2014)
The existing technologies that will be relied upon in the colonization of Mars include life support technologies and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). The current life support technologies will need to be modified to make them feasible for the colonization of Mars. The ISRU technology will be used in the production of water, oxygen, and nitrogen (MIT, 2014). The existing ISRU technology has a low technology readiness level (TRL), and will need to be developed for long term success.
The project claims that the existing technologies are enough to begin the process of colonizing Mars but certainly not enough sustain it. The existing technologies will be used on each stage of the project. The suppliers needed to develop the components required for the mission to succeed have been identified. The major suppliers have confirmed their dedication to the project through letters (Mars-One, 2014). All the components required for the project are not currently available based on their specifications, but the modifications to be made on the design of the existing components are not major. The suppliers have already confirmed that they are capable of providing components that meet all the requirements. Efforts have also been made to ensure the designs of the components are not very complex.
The astronauts will be the first to settle permanently (Chu, 2014). Permanent settlement will mean that there will be no need for the creation of a heavy-lift launch vehicle here on Earth. The launch vehicle does not exist, and the permanent settlement of people in Mars means that there will be no need to develop a technology for it, hence the one way ticket.
The landing modules in Mars will also be small because of permanent settlement. The existing technology is capable of supporting the landing process of the small modules in Mars (Mars-One, 2014). If the people were not to settle on Mars permanently, the landing modules would have to be large so as to allow for return. The existing technologies would not be adequate to support large modules. It would mean the development of new technologies.
The project does not plan to send an advanced pressurized rover to Mars in the early stages of the colonization of Mars (Mars-One, 2014). The rover will be sent later when large rockets are developed. That means that additional technologies to create an advanced rover will not be required presently; however, will need to be developed in the future. The trip to Mars from Earth will take approximately 210 days.
Plans to store water tanks will act as a shield against radiation and water recycling will not be required. Waste recycle technologies are not required immediately. The technologies of waste recycling will be developed later on when humans have successfully settled on Mars. There will be a lot of storage areas on Mars that will facilitate storage waste. The project aims at making sure that humans are well settled on Mars. Other technologies will be developed after the successful colonization of Mars.
Engineers and scientists at MIT have carried out research that indicates that the project should look back into the technological feasibility of the colonization of Mars (Balthasar, 2014). The findings of the research conducted by the scientists show that more technologies need to be developed so as to ensure that humans survive and thrive on Mars. One factor is the researchers study plan concerning food production for the settlers of Mars. The vision of the project is that the human settlers on Mars will have to grow crops locally. Vegetation will increase the levels of oxygen on Mars. Humans may suffocate if the levels of oxygen in the environment are not safe (Chu, 2014). There is a need to develop a technology that will enable the removal of excess oxygen from the environment. The technology will also need to be tested for its viability on the planet.
Scientists at MIT also argue that there is a need to test the technologies that have been developed for the harvesting of water from the soil on Mars. There is evidence that shows that the surface of Mars has ice. The project plans to use the existing technologies to harvest the ice into water.
The good news is, Mars One, has a plan that proves the colonization on Mars is quite possible. Though at this point in time, the required technologies to successfully colonize Mars are not adequate enough. Scientists agree that existing technologies are not ready to be deployed (Wall, 2014). There is a need to test the feasibility of these technologies on Mars and it would be too risky to send humans before testing the current technology. There is also a need for more development of technology as well in order to launch the Mars One into the actual colonization phase.
References
Mars-One, (2014). Technical Feasibility. Retrieved from: http://www.mars-one.com/mission/technical-feasibility
MIT, (2014). An Independent Assessment of the Technical Feasibility of the Mars One Mission Plan. Retrieved from: http://web.mit.edu/sydneydo/Public/Mars%20One%20Feasibility%20Analysis%20IAC14.pdf
Chu, J., (2014). Mars One and Done. Retrieved from: http://newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/technical-feasibility-mars-one-1014
Balthasar, F., (2014). Mars One Project Should Reconsider Mission’s Technical Feasibility, says MIT Researchers. Retrieved from: http://newsmaine.net/21006-mars-one-project-should-reconsider-mission-s-technical-feasibility-say-mit-researchers
Wall, M., (2014). Private Mars Colony Project May Not be Feasible, Study Suggests. Retrieved from: http://www.space.com/27451-private-mars-colony-feasibility-study.html
