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The Mission to Colonize Mars

The Mission to Colonize Mars. A home away from home… (Yes, I know there aren’t oceans on Mars, but come on…the background looks cool). Outline. Introduction Background information Why do we want to try this? How do we plan on getting there? How do we make it inhabitable?

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The Mission to Colonize Mars

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  1. The Mission to Colonize Mars A home away from home… (Yes, I know there aren’t oceans on Mars, but come on…the background looks cool)

  2. Outline • Introduction • Background information • Why do we want to try this? • How do we plan on getting there? • How do we make it inhabitable? • Is it possible? Will it happen? • Conclusion

  3. Introduction • Originally observed as a red star – represented evil and war • Became the focus of science fiction • Stimulated public interest • Mariner 3 sent to Mars – 1964 • Viking landers map surface – 1975 • No evidence of life • Mars pathfinder – 1997 • Meteorite from Mars – signs of life Images of the Pathfinder landing site

  4. Why do we want to try? • Earth may someday become uninhabitable • Overpopulation, resources, environment • Information about the universe and life • Implications on our place in the universe • Larger frontier and different environment • Developments that may change the way we live • Symbolism of the advancement and cooperation of mankind • Job opportunities and global economy

  5. How do we plan to get there? • Need: way to get there, place to stay, way to get back • Fuel, food, air • 1st year: Send 1 or 2 unmanned ships • MAV(Mars Ascent Vehicle), ERV(Earth Return Vehicle), and an unmanned habitat • 3rd year: Send 1 or 2 unmanned, 1 manned • Same first ships, last contains four astronauts • 5th year and every odd year after: repeat • Continuous habitation on Mars • MAV produces it’s own fuel from the atmosphere (Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen -> Methane) • Other options: Brute force (one huge ship with everything), one-way trip (astronauts never return) Diagram of the possible missions to mars discussed (Orbital Rendezvous with in-situ (on site) propellants ).

  6. How can Mars become habitable? • Problems: • Only known water sources in ice caps and permafrost beneath the surface • Cannot breathe in current atmosphere • Weather is much too harsh (average of -60 degree Celsius temperature, for example) • Solutions: • Release manufactured greenhouse gases • Temperature raises to 0 degrees Celsius and higher • Frozen carbon dioxide sublimes to gas, increasing pressure and raising temperature • Water melts, causing a hydrological cycle • Microbes released to form a biosphere and produce oxygen • Moss and plant life begins Timeline diagram from left to right of the terraformation of Mars

  7. Is it possible, and will it happen? • Based on current ideas and research, it is highly possible. • Opposition in the form of cost, purpose, and risk. • Originally estimated at $450 billion, now estimated between $20 - $50 billion for three missions. • Can make it significantly less risky by use of in-situ propellant and orbital rendezvous. • Plan on making manned-missions • http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mer/mission/timeline.htmlfor timelines and information • Some say it will take no more than 100 years to terraform, some say almost 1 million. Either way, it will probably be several decades from now, at least, before we might begin.

  8. Conclusion • Colonization of Mars is certainly possible, and definitely a consideration for the future. • There are many reasons for colonizing Mars, some very practical. • Though colonization will not likely be seen in our lifetime, the future could hold a new Earth-like planet, colonized the surface-over by humans.

  9. References • http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=mars03’ • http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/MartianSunTimes/ • http://www.ibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=mars04 • http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/MPF/index0.html • http://www-geology.ucdavis.edu/~GEL36/GEL36Honors01/cost/cost.html

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