Mars One

1107 Words3 Pages

Sending man even further than the moon has always been an accomplishment society has always wanted to achieve. By 2023, Mars One, the prime Danish company responsible for the mission, is scheduling to have the first manned mission to Mars depart. So, why does man want to reach Mars? For the simple fact that it provides a challenge for humans who have always wanted to better themselves. It also allows better opportunity for research purposes, which robots alone may not achieve. However, with few advantages, there are also several life-threatening disadvantages. The psychological effects of being isolated so long, the risks and challenges, climate and atmosphere and day-to-day life will all be issues that will affect Mars colonists.

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The risk of spaceflight is similar to that of climbing Mount Everest, with risks including launch, being able to make it safely out of Earth’s atmosphere and then reaching Mars from there, and also landing the shuttle safely. With risks as high as this, there will need to be a well trusted supplier on hand that will ensure the safety of all colonists. Mars One is a non-profit organisation, which means that the company relies heavily on donations from the public and sponsorship. This is a huge challenge for the company, as much of the public believes that the mission isn’t feasible. With the mission costing a hefty $6 billion, Mars One believe that most of their funding will come from the media tracking the broadcasting the colonists training to a global audience. To attempt to avoid the hazards that may occur and to ensure that no human lives are lost, the Mars lander will be tested a total of eight times prior to the first manned departure. With this being said, the success rate of landing on Mars is approximately 30%. Another issue that must also be addressed is the astronaut’s exposure to radiation. The sun poses the greatest risk, with the effects damaging DNA, leading to cancer and other harmful diseases. Radiation will also be an issue on the surface of Mars, with the atmosphere on Mars not offering the same kind of protection as that on Earth. The physical health of the colonists must …show more content…

Mars’ climate is the most Earth-like of any other planet in the solar system, with similar axial tilts. This results in similar seasons, although with temperatures not as high. Martian temperatures can reach as high as 20 degrees Celsius in summer near the equator. The average temperature on Mars is -60 degrees Celsius, meaning that suitable living apartments would need to be well conducted with heat and also the astronaut’s suits. Martian atmosphere is primarily made up of carbon dioxide, at 96%. Carbon dioxide is an extremely poisonous for humans to inhale which will lead to, when inhaled in large quantities, cardiovascular diseases and nerve damage. Without the doctors and medical professionals required treating this, the individual would succumb to the poisoning and lose their life. Unlike Earth, Mars only contains traces of water and oxygen; two essential substances humans need to survive. Water on the planet is a primary concern. If humans were to settle Mars, where would the water source come from? The water present is in the atmosphere and certainly will not be enough to sustain human life. The only way for water to be present on the planet is if water was to be transported to the planet, but the problem is if the source was to run out. Though it is likely that millions of gallons of water will be

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