What would it take to travel to the Planet Mars? What are the dangers that one would face if such a journey where possible? And, also, what would be the psychological effects on the human mind, as well as the supplies one would have to take to see an astronaut through the journey? All of those questions would have to be given deep thought before such a trip could ever {or would ever} be allowed to take place.
To answer those questions, one would have to seriously consider each one in turn. Indeed, even as I write this now, NASA is already looking at new propulsion systems, crew modules, and also structures strong enough to be able to withstand such a dangerous and long journey.
So, to answer the first question, the crew member – or members – would have been prepared. both mentally and physically. The crew would have done numerous health checks again and again. The exercises would have been the most intense that one could participate in. Stints in the space simulator would be taken – to test G Force to the maximum level, upon the human body.
Likewise, conditions under water (which are the closest one can get to Zero Gravity) would be undertaken too, spending hours at a time virtually living under the water. It has been proven over the years that prolonged exposure to Zero Gravity has a major effect on the bones and structure of the human body The body would have to be tested again and again, for such prolonged exposure as a year-long travel to Mars.
The astronauts would have to be the fittest they have ever been, both mentally and physically, and would have to withstand forces on their bodies that no ordinary member of the public would face. But, in saying this, even if the crew members were in the best physical shape and mental condition, no one really knows what it would be like up there, in terms of the acute and chronic loneliness that an astronaut would face. Again, the major problem of loneliness within the vastness of space, would have to be somehow overcome.
And that is even considering whether or not the astronaut would be able to survive the journey at all? Another major obstacle to an historic Mars Landing, would have to be the exposure to lethal radiation. In studying propulsion systems, and also the environmental structures that the astronaut would have to live in, it seems that NASA has not looked closely at all at the very real dangers of radiation. Before any trip to Mars could be considered seriously, then answers about how one would overcome radiation, would have to be found.
No trip to Mars could otherwise take place unless this first major obstacle is overcome. Also there is the problem of zero gravity too, that the body would have to put up with. What would be the effect of human cells to any prolonged journey to Mars? What would be the effect on human tissues and even the human immune system? Again, all would have to be considered, looked at, and overcome, before any trip could get off the ground.
If this problem where to be solved, then the next question would also have to be seriously considered…that of the mental state of the astronaut. Indeed, an astronaut may be in the best of health, both mentally and physically, but it is how that person would be able to cope with the loneliness that such a journey would entail. As we all know, the human species are a social group, we come together, we interact and our ideas are formed by those around us, who inspire us and love us. But, such a trip to the Planet Mars, would mean having to come to terms with a whole new way of life.
It would mean many artificial days and months alone. Yes, we have all been alone at some point in our lives, but the loneliness one would face here would be unlike any anyone would have gone through before. Could an astronaut, no matter how healthy in mind or body, put themselves through that, and be able to cope as well as survive?
If anything, the history of mankind has told us that we are not just a social species, but a pioneering species too. Human beings are forever achieving new goals: the conquering of Mount Everest, or tracking across the Arctic and Antarctic, surviving in burning deserts, and diving down into the deepest oceans. So, for anyone to suggest that man will not be able to achieve the goal of not only travelling to Mars, but setting foot on the Martian landscape, would be foolhardy indeed.
Still, all that has been mentioned in the paragraph above are all achievements that have been done on Earth. Yet Mars is a different proposition altogether, and it is because of this that scientists would have to approach this journey in a completely different way. The next question that would have to be answered would be how to shield the spacecraft, not just from radiation, but from meteor hits too?
This is another problem that NASA would have to overcome in order to succeed with a mission to Mars. A material would have to be produced that would somehow be able to withstand the pressures of such a trip, and also, be strong enough, yet flexible enough too, to be able to deflect meteor hits.
Experiments in ‘intelligent materials’ have been taking place for many years, and experiments with clothing has only just begun that can regulate themselves according to the weather conditions. Indeed, now, even in glass, microchips have been introduced within the glass itself, this tells the glass when to allow heat in, and heat out. In other words, it is able to regulate itself.
This technology would definitely be looked at and possibly used in any future long-distance space travel. If we can somehow get materials to be able to think for themselves, to produce heat when needed, and to cool down, as well as being able to withstand any kind of pressure, then that would be half the battle won in our desire to go to Mars.
There are many obstacles standing in the way of Man and his desire to place a foot on Mars’ surface. But, in time, those obstacles will eventually be solved. New technology will pave the way for a whole new adventure about to take place. Mankind will finally, leave the cradle of Mother Earth to travel to the far-distant planet, that is Planet Mars.
All those who are alive now, may not be alive to see that great and historic event, but for those that will be, it will indeed be history in the making. The first pioneers to Mars will step foot on the planet’s surface at some time in the future, and for the first time in the history of mankind, man would have eventually conquered Mars.
