The Mission to Colonize The Mission to Colonize MarsMars

A home away from home…A home away from home…(Yes, I know there aren’t oceans (Yes, I know there aren’t oceans

on Mars, but come on…the on Mars, but come on…the background looks cool)background looks cool)

OutlineOutline

• IntroductionIntroduction– Background informationBackground information

• Why do we want to try this?Why do we want to try this?

• How do we plan on getting there?How do we plan on getting there?

• How do we make it inhabitable?How do we make it inhabitable?

• Is it possible? Will it happen?Is it possible? Will it happen?

• ConclusionConclusion

IntroductionIntroduction

• Originally observed as a red star Originally observed as a red star – represented evil and war– represented evil and war

• Became the focus of science Became the focus of science fictionfiction– Stimulated public interestStimulated public interest

• Mariner 3 sent to Mars – 1964Mariner 3 sent to Mars – 1964

• Viking landers map surface – Viking landers map surface – 19751975– No evidence of lifeNo evidence of life

• Mars pathfinder – 1997Mars pathfinder – 1997

• Meteorite from Mars – signs of Meteorite from Mars – signs of lifelife Images of the Pathfinder landing site

Why do we want to try?Why do we want to try?• Earth may someday become uninhabitableEarth may someday become uninhabitable

– Overpopulation, resources, environmentOverpopulation, resources, environment

• Information about the universe and lifeInformation about the universe and life– Implications on our place in the universeImplications on our place in the universe

• Larger frontier and different environmentLarger frontier and different environment

• Developments that may change the way we liveDevelopments that may change the way we live

• Symbolism of the advancement and cooperation of mankindSymbolism of the advancement and cooperation of mankind • Job opportunities and global economyJob opportunities and global economy

How do we plan to get How do we plan to get there?there?

• Need: way to get there, place to stay, way Need: way to get there, place to stay, way to get backto get back– Fuel, food, airFuel, food, air

• 11stst year: Send 1 or 2 unmanned ships year: Send 1 or 2 unmanned ships– MAV(Mars Ascent Vehicle), ERV(Earth MAV(Mars Ascent Vehicle), ERV(Earth

Return Vehicle), and an unmanned Return Vehicle), and an unmanned habitathabitat

• 33rdrd year: Send 1 or 2 unmanned, 1 manned year: Send 1 or 2 unmanned, 1 manned– Same first ships, last contains four Same first ships, last contains four

astronautsastronauts

• 55thth year and every odd year after: repeat year and every odd year after: repeat– Continuous habitation on MarsContinuous habitation on Mars

• MAV produces it’s own fuel from the MAV produces it’s own fuel from the atmosphere (Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen atmosphere (Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen -> Methane)-> Methane)

• Other options: Brute force (one huge ship Other options: Brute force (one huge ship with everything), one-way trip (astronauts with everything), one-way trip (astronauts never return)never return)

Diagram of the possible missions to mars discussed (Orbital Rendezvous with in-situ (on site) propellants ).

How can Mars become How can Mars become habitable?habitable?

• Problems:Problems:– Only known water sources in ice caps and permafrost Only known water sources in ice caps and permafrost

beneath the surfacebeneath the surface– Cannot breathe in current atmosphereCannot breathe in current atmosphere– Weather is much too harsh (average of -60 degree Celsius Weather is much too harsh (average of -60 degree Celsius

temperature, for example)temperature, for example)• Solutions:Solutions:

– Release manufactured greenhouse gasesRelease manufactured greenhouse gases• Temperature raises to 0 degrees Celsius and higherTemperature raises to 0 degrees Celsius and higher• Frozen carbon dioxide sublimes to gas, increasing pressure and Frozen carbon dioxide sublimes to gas, increasing pressure and

raising temperatureraising temperature• Water melts, causing a hydrological cycleWater melts, causing a hydrological cycle

– Microbes released to form a biosphere and produce oxygenMicrobes released to form a biosphere and produce oxygen• Moss and plant life beginsMoss and plant life begins

Timeline diagram from left to right of the terraformation of Mars

Is it possible, and will it Is it possible, and will it happen?happen?

• Based on current ideas and research, it is highly Based on current ideas and research, it is highly possible.possible.

• Opposition in the form of cost, purpose, and risk.Opposition in the form of cost, purpose, and risk.– Originally estimated at $450 billion, now estimated Originally estimated at $450 billion, now estimated

between $20 - $50 billion for three missions.between $20 - $50 billion for three missions.– Can make it significantly less risky by use of in-situ Can make it significantly less risky by use of in-situ

propellant and orbital rendezvous.propellant and orbital rendezvous.• Plan on making manned-missionsPlan on making manned-missions

– http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mer/mission/timeline.htmlhttp://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mer/mission/timeline.html for timelines and informationfor timelines and information

• Some say it will take no more than 100 years to Some say it will take no more than 100 years to terraform, some say almost 1 million. Either way, it terraform, some say almost 1 million. Either way, it will probably be several decades from now, at least, will probably be several decades from now, at least, before we might begin.before we might begin.

ConclusionConclusion

• Colonization of Mars is Colonization of Mars is certainly possible, and certainly possible, and definitely a consideration definitely a consideration for the future.for the future.

• There are many reasons There are many reasons for colonizing Mars, some for colonizing Mars, some very practical.very practical.

• Though colonization will Though colonization will not likely be seen in our not likely be seen in our lifetime, the future could lifetime, the future could hold a new Earth-like hold a new Earth-like planet, colonized the planet, colonized the surface-over by humans.surface-over by humans.

ReferencesReferences

• http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=mars03’index.php?page=mars03’

• http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/MartianSunTimes/MartianSunTimes/

• http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=mars04index.php?page=mars04

• http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/index0.htmlhttp://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/index0.html• http://www-geology.ucdavis.edu/http://www-geology.ucdavis.edu/

~GEL36/GEL36Honors01/cost/cost.html~GEL36/GEL36Honors01/cost/cost.html