Humans can expect to face some major challenges on an expedition to Mars. It has been proven that humanity can travel in space for over two years. Cumulatively, Sergei Constantinovich Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut, has spent over eight-hundred and three days in Earth orbit (Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2005). The expedition to Mars would require the crew to endure a six month journey to the planet, a year of living on the planet, and a six months journey back to Earth. Russian cosmonaut, Valery V. Polyakoz, clocking in at four-hundred and thirty-eight days for just one stay in Earth orbit, shows humanity is capable of a twelve month round trip to Mars (Schwirtz, 2009). Earth's orbit has provided some benefits to space exploration, like the magnetic field from cosmic radiation, and the proximity to Earth if an emergency were to arise (Jones, 2009). The further humans travel away from Earth the greater the risks become. The major risks to human health on a flight to Mars, living on Mars, and returning to Earth are: radiation exposure, biological problems induced by weightlessness, spacecraft malfunctions, and psychological problems brought on by isolation. One of the biggest issues raised on sending humans to Mars, is the amount of radiation they would be exposed to by traveling through space. Most space agencies set lifetime amounts of radiation astronauts can be exposed to; the general limit is one sievert (Gelling, 2013). A way to minimize the threat of radiation exposure, is having proper shielding for those traversing inside the spacecraft. A lesson from the Curiosity Mars mission, is that having adequate shielding would enable a twelve month trip to and from Mars, only exposing the astronau... ... middle of paper ... ...usion, the major challenges that humans could face on an expedition to Mars and back; are radiation exposure, biological problems induced by weightlessness, spacecraft malfunctions, and psychological problems brought on by isolation. The solution to radiation exposure is to have proper shielding for the astronauts. The physiological problems faced by humans in a weightless environment could be eliminated entirely, if they had artificial gravity. If some type of malfunction were to occur on the spacecraft, or the temporary settlement on Mars, it would be prudent for the astronauts to have an emergency escape vessel. Also, providing some type of normality for the astronauts while in space and on Mars, like artificial gravity, books to read, movies to watch, games to play, and the creation of a weekly support group, would promote a healthy psychological mindset.
Up to now, space entry has been one of America’s greatest accomplishments. As Neil Armstrong once said, it was “one small step for man, one giant step for mankind” (Anastasio 2). Space entry has made man capable of almost
Uncrewed exploration is seen as less expensive, more efficient, and more productive than crewed spaceflight. This is due to a number of factors, the most important of which is the concept of “man-rating” a spacecraft. A man-rating is a certification that the entire vehicle is capable of sustaining life with a reasonable degree of reliability. This certification requires much more testing and therefore more money to reach. Astronauts must also be trained, maintained, and supported. Proponents of crewed spaceflight say that robotic missions lack the judgement of astronauts when selecting scientific samples. They also state that the astronaut themselves could be seen as a scientific instrument, a biological payload in another sense. Microgravity (“zero-g”) and higher or lower gravities than Earth must be adequately explored, and practical data is the most rewarding
As a country we need to start investing more money and research into space technology. Programs currently exist for this effort, but the potential for research and progress is limited by a lack of funding; compared to other government funded programs, aerospace funding is pitiful. Continued research in space technology is a necessary step in our growth and development not just as a country but also as entire human race. If we are to achieve this goal, it is necessary to increase funding for space research and technology and consider the possibility of colonizing outer space. If we limit our existence to the planet Earth, and continue to drain the resources on this planet, we will destroy the only home we have.
Space has lots of radiation. Exposure to space radiation can have a bad effect on a person’s health. Support C: Travelling and exploring space can actually endanger the life of an astronaut. THIRD POINT:
Earth requires about 11,000 m/s of delta-v. To travel to Mars orbit about 6,000 m/s is required. The smallest portion of the delta-v required is the approximately 5,000 m/s necessary to land on the surface of Mars. (Clarke 221). However, what makes this one of the most interesting phase of the trip is that whereas we pretty much know what to expect from the first two legs of the trip, what types of situations we may encounter on landing are largely unknown.
It is within man’s blood and nature to explore, and space is our next New World. Man’s first achievement in space travel was the launch of the Sputnik on October 4, 1957. For the next decades, space travel was roaring like a rocket, fueled by man’s desire to explore, man’s desire for knowledge, and man’s desire to beat his enemies. However, these impulses have died out as the well of government funding has been diverted to wars and debts, and the interest of the American people has been diverted to wars and debts. Amidst all these issues it is debated as to whether or not space travel is worth the money and the attention of scientists, particularly since humanity faces so many issues on earth currently. However, because of the past inventions, current services, and future benefits, space travel is indeed worth the money and attention of governments and people. It is within our hands to control man’s advancement, and space travel is the next venue to do so.
Humans have dreamed of leaving the earth and traveling space for many years, and up to this day they have taken many steps in the right direction. Yet, with every new frontier they approach, new problems loom over the horizon. All problems involved with space exploration may not directly involve space itself. Many of those problems surface right here on Earth. Some of the easier issues have been resolved, such as escaping the forces of gravity to reach outer space. More of these problems are far more arduous and the solutions need more time to be worked out properly. In “The Coming Schism” by James E. and Alcestis R. Oberg, humans have already begun colonizing space, yet there are still new problems arising. Major problems such as financing, communication and culture conflicts are important in the journey to space, because they all have the potential to disrupt progress.
In the awe-inspiring event of man experiencing interstellar travel many detrimental problems arise. Before 1970, the majority of biomedical studies on space flight were conducted immediately before and after flight. They examined the changes and readaptation processes for astronauts from a weightless to a gravitational environ-ment. After the successful Skylab space station projects from 1973-1974 and the Soviet Salyut missions from 1977-1982, biomedical research and experiments commenced in space. These experiments in space have shown that the physiological aspects can be deadly if not prepared for correctly and adequate medical support is not available. Although problems due to weightlessness and lack of exercise have been thoroughly researched and new machines and procedures have been developed to overcome these difficulties, there is still the opportunity to further understand weightlessness.
The recent events regarding the NASA Mars probes have renewed the debate of reinstalling manned space missions with the objectives of exploring and landing on foreign worlds such as the moon and the red planet Mars, rather than the use of solely robotic craft and machines. It is my belief that we should return to the days of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, those of manned lunar landings and manned space exploration. Robots simply cannot and should not be allowed to be the sole means of visiting these worlds, nor should humans only be able to witness new findings second hand through the use of computers and machines. It is human nature to be normally curious of one’s surroundings, and it is important that we send one of our own to new worlds. The effects that past missions have had on the world’s people, as well as our political and cultural climates are another valid reason for flesh instead of metal to lay claim to space. Also, the limitless applications and new education that manned flights can bring to us from on site human interactions could lead to another technological and industrial revolution like the original lunar programs had done for us during the Gemini and Apollo programs.
Space is unimaginably vast, and the problems keeping humans from mastering the exploration of and colonization of space is equally daunting. Impressive advances have been made within the past century, and dedicated efforts to make equally impressive strides in the next hundred years are in place. Space research will not yield resutls overnight, but the information obtained along the way will have a positive impact throughout the scientific community and the world's population in turn. With a goal of extraplanetary habitation, humans can prepare protective measures for neutralizing danger and managing resources underwater, in space, and on land, domestic and alien. The scientific and cultural unity required to reach this goal has the potential to propel mankind as a species and farther through the stars than ever imagined.
Mermel, L. A. (2013). Infection Prevention and Control During Prolonged Human Space Travel. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 123-130.
In America, space travel is a controversial issue that many discuss. Although exciting, some people find it unnecessary and a waste of money. There are also many risks associated with space travel and many issues are more important than space travel that should be focused on. There are ethical, diplomatic, and economic issues that need to be considered before making decisions about space exploration.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmosphere_of_Mars http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091217101627AAs 3 Fw 6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition_of_Mars http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081008001921AA40Psp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weightlessness#Human_health_effects
...ide back into its atmosphere. It is deadly to explore Mars without a spacesuit because the temperature on Mars can come down to -87 degrees C. Mars is made up of 95% carbon dioxide which is very poisonous to breathe in. Overall Mars and Earth are similar in many ways but are also very different.
Since the discovery of powered flight, man has endeavored to test the limits of traveling higher, faster and longer. With the advent of rocket technology in the early 20th century, “higher” came to mean orbiting the Earth, eventually culminating in NASA’s Apollo 11 mission to the moon. “Faster” meant setting record after record of speeds in excess of the sound barrier, with the very same Apollo missions reaching velocities of almost 25,000 miles per hour. “Longer” can currently be summated by the International Space Station (ISS), which has been continually manned for over 13 years; the longest single period of time in space for an individual in that span is 215 days. In the past few decades, many space programs around the world have experienced dwindling national and international interest, mirroring a decrease in funding. However, one aspect of space travel has recently begun to pique the interests of medical professionals in particular- the effects of long duration space travel on the human body. With recent technological advances, long term voyages through the cosmos have leapt from the pages of science fiction and into reality, with several public and private entities- including NASA- planning manned missions to Mars as soon as the year 2030. While that may seem a long way off from the present, research into the effects of extended cosmic voyages on human beings is still in its infancy, especially with regards to the potential effects such a journey might have on the psychological states of astronauts.