Free Essay

Living on Another Planet

In:

Submitted By sanu1982
Words 1113
Pages 5
Report 4 – Living on Another Planet
Transportation systems: Engineers have many design considerations and restraints when developing transportation systems and vehicles for Mars. The amount of dust on the planet will affect mechanical systems. Vehicles on Mars that have to go long distances will need to be pressurized. Rovers for planetary exploration are in development. Rovers for surface science and geology will also be needed, this design is for a drilling and exploration vehicle. In order to support multiple mission requirements, the system is modular and multi-configurable. The main structural aspects of the design are: 1) an inflatable habitat module. 2) Independently powered and remotely controllable wheel trucks to allow multiple configurations and ease of system assembly. 3) Parabolic space trusses for high structural stability with low overall system mass. In addition to these design aspects, new and existing concepts for control systems, power, radiation protection, and crew safety have been incorporated into the transportation system design. This system is designed around the principle of maximum flexibility while maintaining minimal weight and minimal power requirements.
Life support systems are critical to a Martian colony. Colonies will need to be self-sufficient and to use what scientists call a bio-regenerative life support system. A bio regenerative life support system will perform all of the basic functions of a life support system based on natural regenerative processes. Such systems incorporate biological components in the synthesis, purification, and regeneration of basic life support consumables. Life-support requirements such as food, drinking water, and breathable atmosphere by using plants and microbes as the central recycling components. Plants will be utilized in food production, carbon dioxide removal, and oxygen production and, with microbial systems, will support water purification.
Water: Drainage valleys through flat land are another sign of water on Mars. A little bit of evidence has shown up on Earth from a meteorite that there was water. This meteorite has been identified as a Martian rock. The meteorite shows that a 1.4 percent of water is in the volcanic rock. Some scientist believe that there is water underground. The water would be in hypersaline underground oceans, and could be so loaded with salt that it would flow like syrup. The poles of Mars do have water ice in them. Some scientists believe that there may be additional water or ice under the surface of Mars. These hidden reservoirs could be a source for future colonists to use to produce water and oxygen. Plants produce oxygen from photosynthesis, which could be used to provide some of the oxygen humans need. The integration of the greenhouse with the living quarters would help to facilitate this process. The rocks and soil on Mars contain some oxygen. A process for extracting oxygen from rocks and soil on a lunar base is being considered. This process could possibly also be used on Mars.
Sewage: Water would also have to be recycled in order to use it most efficiently. Since a large quantity of water will be needed for a Martian colony, very efficient recycling techniques will also be needed. Recycling water for human use will be necessary in addition to water used for plants and machines. Laundry and showers (gray water) can be incorporated into hydroponic plant production systems. The subsequent recovery of water transpired (released) by plants is one means of water purification and recycling that is a natural bio-regenerative process.
Farming: If we ever decide to colonize Mars, it might be fairly simple to grow crops in that red soil, according to a new study. Mars' reduced gravity could let us use less water and fertilizer than we do on Earth. Allowing crops to grow there that produce oxygen and scrub carbon dioxide there would make Mars a more livable environment. For a long-term settlement, there is probably no other option than growing food on Mars. Soil-based agriculture can use settlers' waste for fertilizer; it can sequester carbon and produce oxygen; and it's a reliable way to biologically filter water, for instance. The problem is that Mars’ Gravity affects the rate at which water and nutrients flow through soil, and plants have evolved to these constraints. Martian gravity is about one-third as strong as Earth’s meaning water would flow at a slower rate. This could lead to suffocation of microorganisms and roots, along with emissions of toxic gases. However slower water transport is a good thing, soil under Martian gravity is able to hold more water, so less of it seeps through and is lost. This increased efficiency means you could use a whopping 90 percent less water for Martian irrigation than what you'd need on Earth. The sunlight on Mars is about 43% of the sunlight on Earth and plants would have to adjust to less sunlight, or be exposed to additional sources of light. Engineers working in a controlled environment will have to consider ways to control the temperature, humidity, lighting, water, and nutrients for optimal plant growth. So once we start terraforming Mars, our agriculture might be more efficient, but we'll still have to worry about those blasted greenhouse gases.
Pros: It's pretty Earth-like planet, in terms of things like gravity and day cycle, so it would be easier to adjust on Mars. Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of. Mars offers humanity the ultimate lifeboat in the case that life on Earth no longer becomes possible or desirable. There would be a chance to start over away from the political and ecological mess on Earth.
Cons: First con is the cost to get there. You have to make everything and be totally self-sufficient, down to the air you breathe. The slightest malfunction or accident could kill you. You will have to learn to live off the land, produce your own air, food and water. You´ll need to figure out how to generate electricity, how to stay warm, and get mobile while keeping from being exposed to the fatal atmosphere. Humans would obviously need to initially wear suits on Mars, so Con's point about solar radiation is irrelevant. And finally, Con has not presented evidence that the gravity level on Mars is so low that it would be harmful to humans.

References: http://vasts.spacegrant.org/modules/10/1 http://mars.nasa.gov/participate/marsforeducators/soi/MarsSOI2012_Lesson13_StudentGuide.pdf http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-08/martian-farms-would-need-less-water-and-fewer-fertilizers-according-new-study http://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/reports/CB-979/texas.pdf

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Living on Another Planet

...Running Head: LIVING ON ANOTHER PLANET Living On Another Planet: Venus and the Aerial City of Euphuria Tommy Patterson GS1140 Living On Another Planet: Venus The population of earth is growing increasing over populated and the need to search and find a new planet to colonize and settle on has become a dire issue. The planet Venus is a perfect choice because of its similarities to Earth’s atmospheric and gravitational characteristics. Listed are some of the main characteristics positive and negative: Positive * Has gravity roughly similar to Earth and a think atmosphere that would protect you from radiation * The atmospheric pressure is the same as earth’s at an altitude of 50 – 60 kilometers from the surface * Possible to float in the skies in a balloon of breathable air because the breathable air on the planet is like a lifting gas * Take advantage of sunlight in regular gravity because of similarities Negative * Surface temperature – 462 degree oven like temperature * Surface pressure – 92 times that of earth * Atmosphere is entirely carbon dioxide with clouds of sulphuric acid * You would die faster on the surface of Venus than almost anywhere in the solar system The planet Venus is approximately 26,000,000 miles away from earth and would take 153 days of travel time to get there by normal means of space travel. So to remedy this issue the means of transportation will be by space vehicles equipped with warp drives which...

Words: 474 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Living on Another Planet

...Living on another Planet GS1140 Problem Solving Theory 05/05/2014 OUTLINE I. Introduction………………………………………………………………………3 II. Heading #1………………………………………………………………………..4 III. Heading #2………………………………………………………………………..5 IV. Heading #3………………………………………………………………………..6 V. Heading #4………………………………………………………………………..7 VI. Heading #5………………………………………………………………………..8 VII. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..9 VIII. Reference…………………………………………………………………………10 Introduction Mars is the fourth planet from the sun, the closest neighbor to Earth, and as a planet, is the most similar to our planet out of all the other planets in our solar system. These facts lead to an obvious question. What would it be like to live on Mars? Is such a thing possible, or merely just science fiction? Scientists have worked for many year to find out if we can live on another planet. What that being sad in this paper I will show you that you could live on mars. In this essay I will explain to you what is needed to sustain life on another planet i.e. mars. I will also give you the characteristics of the planet. Why as human we choose to be on the planet. Also what is needed to sustain life? In this essay I will tell you the possible and maybe one main issue, which is isolation on humans. I will also explain who will be needed for this to work. The reason why I have chosen mars is because if life ever evolved on any of the other planets, Mars is the likeliest candidate. After Earth, Mars...

Words: 314 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Living on Another Planet

...Living on another Planet/Report 2 GS1140/Problem Solving Theory Recap Report 1 The location chosen for living on another planet is the Moon. The Moon is the closet orbiting planet to Earth which would make traveling to the Moon more ideal. The Moon is 238,900 miles from Earth and the climate or weather on the Moon doesn’t exist because the Moon doesn’t have an atmosphere. The reason for living on the Moon would be to sustain the human race. Earth’s resources are being depleted at an alarming rate that will cause the Earth to be uninhabitable within the next 50-100 years. The Moon would provide us with the necessary resources and space needed to sustain human life. Location The location chosen for living on another planet is the Moon. Some of the key characteristics about the selected location: * Distance from the Sun 93,205,678 miles or 150 million km * Planet characteristics: No atmosphere, soil composed of maria, temperature’s during the day reach 107° C, temperature’s at night reach -153°C * ¼ the diameter of Earth * No liquid water on the planet The location selected for colonization would be between the light and dark side of the Moon. With no atmosphere on the Moon climate is not a factor. The Moon does however have two sides, a light side which is always exposed to the Sun, and a dark side which is never exposed to the Sun. Purpose The purpose for colonizing the Moon includes a few key factors that bring us to the selected planet: ...

Words: 661 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Living on Another Planet

...Living on another Planet The professional organization founded by the above listed members has been deemed the Stalwart Pioneer's Association of Celestial Exploration (S.P.A.C.E. for short). SPACE, founded March 18, 2033 is on a mission to establish a human colony on the planet of Mars. With its headquarters located in the heart of Houston Texas, alongside the NASA space command center, SPACE is currently laying its plans to have the colony established in next 10 years. The program is being funded with federal assistance along with backers from billionaire investors Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, among others. Along with federal funding and heavy investor funding, SPACE is also requiring a steep membership fee of $10 million to be one of the first 50 colonists to live on the planet once the establishment is finished and deemed safe. Our group chose to do this project because we thought it would be fun to create an organization with aspirations of settling a colony on the red planet. SPACE has its sights set high. We have invited investors from all over the world to take part in this multicultural enterprise. Mars is the location of the colony, although the exact site for the colony has yet to be determined. “That site will depend on many factors, including terrain, soil and surface properties; areas of science priority; and access to and quality of local resources” (Loff, 2012). The site must also be chosen with thought to using the natural landscape to help shelter the establishment...

Words: 577 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Living on Another Planet

...1 Living on another planet: How would we do it, why, and where? GS 1140 2 Part 1 3 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), was formally launched on October 1, 1958, with its headquarters in Washington DC. This was the creation of a pronounced history of distinctive scientific and technological triumphs in human space flight, aeronautics, space science, and space applications. NASA had originally believed itself to be the leader in space technology and missile development however when the Soviet Union satellite Sputnik 1 was successfully launched into space while the first two US launches had failed they were proved to be wrong. This led to the Sputnik crisis. Immediately the space race began and NASA quickly employed possibilities for human space flight. Project Mercury was NASA’s first prestigious program, which was exploring whether or not humans could survive in space. With Project Mercury’s success Project Gemini was to follow, with a spacecraft built for two astronauts. With Project Apollo in 1969, Apollo 11 was launched and NASA put the first astronauts on the moon. Several test projects were to follow in the early 70’s. The Space Shuttle program was born in 1981 and it still continues today to assist with the building of the International Space Station. In addition to their heroic achievements NASA’s humanitarian efforts are unmatched. This year NASA will begin to provide educational camps for underprivileged middle school children...

Words: 1567 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Living on Another Planet

...Living On Another Planet Project Report 1 The earth population is growing faster and faster every single day. To insure that the next coming and upcoming generation has a place to live, we may have to secure a place for them. That’s where the purpose of living on another planet comes in the picture. Probably the most suitable planet is Europa, one of Jupiter's Moons because it does in fact have solid ground, oxygen and liquid. Despite the very thin atmosphere, this is one of the most likely planets for us to inhabit. Europa is one of the four moons of Jupiter discovered by Galileo. Europa is a little smaller than Earth’s moon, and it is the sixth largest moon in our solar system. Europa has a diameter of 3,100 kilometers. Europa is the sixth closest moon to Jupiter. Europa orbits Jupiter roughly every 3.5 days. Its orbit has an average radius of 671,000 kilometers. Europa spins once per orbit, causing it to present the same face to Jupiter all of the time, similar to Earth’s moon. This means that one day on Jupiter is equal to its rotational period, approximately every 3.5 Earth days. Temperature: Europa's surface temperature at the equator never rises above minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 160 degrees Celsius). At the poles of the moon, the temperature never rises above minus 370 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 220 degrees Celsius) The economic impact of living on another planet will be enormous. Due to the fact that it will take time and more energy to get there, do extreme...

Words: 314 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Living on Another Planet

...LIVING ON A NEW PLANET LIVING ON A NEW PLANET 10/5/14  10/5/14  LIVING ON A NEW PLANET A global pandemic has threatened human existence as we know it. Virologists have determined that the threat cannot be contained and the only solution for the continuation of life, is mass exodus from planet earth. Nations around the globe have united and proposed a solution that would prove to be one of the largest undertakings in human history – colonizing a new planet. Symptoms of the virus consisted of skin rashes, bumps covering the patient and high fever eventually leading to death. The population of earth diminished exponentially over a very short period of time when the virus became airborne and reached around the globe. With no vaccination or cure, the only viable option was to move as many people which showed no signs of infection off planet. The closet habitable planet that would potentially be able to support human life is a planet known as Gliese 581c. It is approximately 20.22 light years away from Earth, 50% larger and has a mass that is 5.5 times larger than Earth. It has a surface temperature which would most definitely support liquid water. The planet is the third from its star, nearly 15 times closer than Earth is to the sun. One year on the planet is equal to 13 Earth days, a far difference from the 365 days per year that we are used to. The climate of Gliese 581c is relatively warm. With its distance...

Words: 453 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Living on Another Planet

...COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURING (CAM) Photo by: higyou Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) are a pair of often interdependent industrial computer applications that have greatly influenced the chain of processes between the initial design and the final realization of a product. Many would add to this duo a third technology, computer-aided engineering (CAE). Ongoing refinements in CAD/CAM systems continue to save manufacturers tens of millions of dollars in time and resources over non-computerized methods. As a consequence, CAD and CAM technologies are responsible for massive gains in both productivity and quality, particularly since the 1980s. For some purposes CAD and CAM methods can be used exclusively of one another, and in general, CAD is used more commonly than CAM. CAD involves creating computer models defined by geometrical parameters. These models typically appear on a computer monitor as a three-dimensional representation of a part or a system of parts, which can be readily altered by changing relevant parameters. CAD systems enable designers to view objects under a wide variety of representations and to test these objects by simulating real-world conditions. CAM picks up where CAD leaves off by using geometrical design data to control automated machinery. CAM systems are associated with computer numerical control (CNC) or direct numerical control (DNC) systems. These systems differ from older forms of numerical control (NC) in that geometrical...

Words: 2560 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Living on Another Planet/Green Building

...Project: Living on Another Planet/Green Building or City In: Computers and Technology Project: Living on Another Planet/Green Building or City During my research, some very interesting facts were accumulated. By accumulating modern data on Mars, I attempted to outline the possibilities of colonization in my own perspective. One consideration is that not only is technology lifting mankind up into new heights, but we are on the verge of a new cooperation on a global scale. This cooperation that I am conveying is that world governments are now working together to eventually go to Mars. This exploration will be a culmination of data produced from the rovers that are currently sending data to us from Mars. (http://www.googleearth.com, go to Mars entry) We now know there are natural resources available to use to sustain life, and harvesting them will lead to our first colony being started and expanding there. The question arises, as to how to get there, and with careful thought, the technology that we now possess will certainly deliver us there to Mars. The first fact to consider is that we have a natural satellite that is only approximately 252,000 miles away from us, which is the Moon. (www.answers.ask.com) (http://www.chacha.com) We also have the International Space Station, revolving around the earth. (http://wiki.answers.com) We are also going to be building an outer space vehicle that is larger than the Gemini space capsule, but will be built to go deeper into space...

Words: 362 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Project: Living on Another Planet/Green Building or City

...During my research, some very interesting facts were accumulated. By accumulating modern data on Mars, I attempted to outline the possibilities of colonization in my own perspective. One consideration is that not only is technology lifting mankind up into new heights, but we are on the verge of a new cooperation on a global scale. This cooperation that I am conveying is that world governments are now working together to eventually go to Mars. This exploration will be a culmination of data produced from the rovers that are currently sending data to us from Mars. (http://www.googleearth.com, go to Mars entry) We now know there are natural resources available to use to sustain life, and harvesting them will lead to our first colony being started and expanding there. The question arises, as to how to get there, and with careful thought, the technology that we now possess will certainly deliver us there to Mars. The first fact to consider is that we have a natural satellite that is only approximately 252,000 miles away from us, which is the Moon. (www.answers.ask.com) (http://www.chacha.com) We also have the International Space Station, revolving around the earth. (http://wiki.answers.com) We are also going to be building an outer space vehicle that is larger than the Gemini space capsule, but will be built to go deeper into space and stay there longer. On January 14, 2004, then President George W. Bush announced the “Orion” spacecraft. This spacecraft is a replacement of the space...

Words: 1869 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Why Humans Search For Water On New Planets Essay

...The reason why humans first look for water when they travel to other new planets due to the fact that in order for living organisms to survive in those planets, there needs to be sources of water to sustain life on those planets. If humans can find water on a different planet, then they could make the claim that life could already be on these planets, or that life can be sustained on these planets. My evidence is that in order for life to be sustained on a planet, this planet must contain the six most common elements needed for life, known as SPONCH. SPONCH stands for Sulfur, Phospherous, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon, and Hydrogen. Hydrogen as well as Oxygen are both required in order for water molecules to be formed, which means that these six elements should be found and attainable on these planets in order for them to be very sustainable for any forms of life to be able to actually live on...

Words: 1531 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Nt1310 Unit 3 Assignment

...to the planet Earth. It is located in about 500 light-years from Earth and sails through its habitable zone, resulting to potentially watery surface. The planet was put outside the edge of the habitable zone from the fact that in only gets about one-third of the energy from its star compared to Earth. Though researchers find a potentially habitable planet we still need to surmount the problem of getting there or surviving the trip. (Anonymous, 2007) stated that we still don’t have the idea on how far the nearest habitable planet is, but the assumed distance from the Earth is more or less 20 light years. It is implied that a light year is defined as the distance light travels in a year which is 186,282 miles per second. When it is multiplied the result would be 5,874,589,152,000 miles. The article also stated that the fastest astronauts have ever travelled so far is 7 miles a second and it means that it would take more than 26 thousand years for us to travel the distance of a light year. (Fernando, 2015) discuss the 5 possible problems that we may encounter in living on other planet. (1) The concept of time will be utterly screwed. Earth has 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year and it all depends on how fast the Earth rotate on its own axis and the length of its orbit. Technically speaking, every planet have different time depending on its axis and the length of its orbit. It is also stated there that measuring time is the most crucial elements in our daily life, and it...

Words: 891 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Another Planet

...Project Purpose This is a comprehensive project that you will work on throughout the course. You will work in groups to solve a problem using the theories, formulas, and concepts from this class. Course Objectives Execute problem-solving actions appropriate to completing a variety of case study assignments. Apply critical reading to identify the meaning of information in a problem statement. Apply analytical and logical thinking to extract facts from a problem description and determine how they relate to one another and to the problem(s) to be solved. Provide symbolic, verbal, and graphical interpretations of statements in a problem description. Apply analytical tools for evaluating the causes and potential implications of a problem. Generate potential solutions to a problem and determine the best course of action with regard to effectiveness, efficiency, and mitigation of risks. Design methodology for implementing problem solution(s). Develop tools for evaluating implementation of problem solution. Required Resources Textbook ITT Tech Virtual Library Project Logistics Select ONE of the following three projects: A, B, or C. You may work individually or in a group. Because of the workload, working in groups is recommended. Working as an individual on this project is discouraged. Project Deliverables Four written reports Final report Project presentation (Unit 10) Each written report must have the following items: APA formatting, double-spaced...

Words: 2219 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Religion on Eath

...“Report on the Religious Life of Planet Earth” The Planet Terex is a very religious planet and wants to find out if this planet earth is a religious planet; this is of great importance to the council of Terex. The council has sent a Researcher named Rodney too Earth to gather information on this civilization in hopes of determining if this Planetary body or object Sphere, is religious or not. The researcher Rodney has a set of query’s given to him from the council to satisfy their curiosity through his research on this planet called earth, he sets out and lands on Earth to begin his research. • If there is a religion on earth, what is it? • Do all people follow this religion? • Does this religion work? • Is this a religious planet or not. To define religion on Earth: Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the nature, and purpose of the masses, when considered as the formation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing an ethics code following the conduct of human affairs. Religion on this planet has many faiths. Religion was formed to help people live a certain way, and go through life living in a peaceful healthy way not to harm one another, be kind to each other give thanks and blessings for what you have, condition your mind way of thinking and not to live your life outside of your means of living. However, be thankful for what you have, and prosper from it, but give thanks to the entity...

Words: 832 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Earth A Better World Essay

...If you ask me, mankind shouldn’t inhabit another planet in our solar system. We can’t even take care of our own planet and now we are seeking to go to another. Is man giving up on something we have built millions of years ago? Are we going to start over again in another world just because our planet is tarring up apart? The only ones to blame on this is us. Our planet earth is exhausted for us men kind never appreciating her. But she hasn’t loose hope in us. And now we are going to another planet and loose everything we have worked for in here. We don’t have all the technology to transport 7.4 billion people to another world. This is an act of selfishness man is having, this shows how man are coward and can’t deal with the problems we are...

Words: 705 - Pages: 3