Space has always attracted humanity, people sought to conquer the starry peaks and find out what the heavenly abyss is fraught with. There were first steps on the moon that proclaimed the great progress of the whole world. Each country strives to make a particularly significant discovery, which is sure to be saddened in history. However, the level of scientific achievements and modern technical equipment does not allow to conquer distant and mysterious celestial bodies. How many times in theory have expeditions to Mars been carried out, the implementation of which in practice is currently very difficult. But scientists believe that in the next decade, the human foot will set foot on the red planet. And who knows what surprises await us there. The hope of extraterrestrial life excites many minds.
A manned expedition to Mars will ever take place. And today even the approximate dates established by scientists are known.
Flight perspective
Today, the expedition to Mars is planned for 2017, but it is not known whether this will happen or not. This date is due to the fact that at this time the orbit of the Earth will be as close as possible to the orbit of Mars. The flight will take two or even two and a half years. The spacecraft will have a mass of about 500 tons, it is precisely such a volume that is required for the astronauts to feel at least comfortable.
The main creators of the Mission to Mars program are the United States and Russia. It was these powers that made significant discoveries in the field of space exploration. The development concept covers activities until 2040.
All interested persons would like to send the first astronauts to a distant planet in 2017, but in reality these plans are difficult to implement. It is very difficult to create a single huge aircraft, so it was decided to work with complexes. They will be delivered by launch vehicles in parts to the orbit of the planet. In this case, it is calculated to create a fully automated process in order to minimize the energy costs of astronauts. This will gradually create the necessary infrastructure in space.
For about half a century, a manned expedition is planned. "Mars" - the lost station of the USSR back in 1988, which first transmitted to the earth photographs of the surface of red soil and one of the planet’s satellites. Since then, different countries have launched interplanetary stations to study Mars.
Problems with the Martian expedition
The expedition to Mars will take a long time. To date, humanity has the experience of a long stay in space. Valery Polyakov is a doctor who spent a year and six months in orbit of the Earth. With proper calculations, this time may be enough to reach Mars. It is very likely that it can increase by about another six months. The big problem is that immediately after landing on an alien planet, astronauts will need to start reconnaissance. They will not have the opportunity to adapt and get used to.
Difficult flight conditions
To fly to Mars, completely new technologies are required. It is necessary to observe a number of important conditions. Only in this case the probability of the first expedition to Mars will nevertheless be successfully carried out maximizes. A number of factors must be taken into account when developing a project to conquer the Martian space. One of the most basic is the life support of the crew. It will be implemented if you create a closed loop. The necessary reserves of water and food are put into orbit with the support of special ships. In the case of Mars, spacecraft passengers will only need to rely on personal strength. Scientists are creating methods of water regeneration and oxygen production using the electrolysis method.
Another important factor is radiation. This is a serious problem for humans. Various studies can answer questions related to the influence of electromagnetic energy on the body as a whole. Such exposure is likely to lead to cataracts, a change in the genetic composition of cells and the rapid growth of cancer cells. Developed medications cannot completely protect people from the harmful effects of radiation. Therefore, you need to consider creating some kind of shelter.
Weightlessness
Zero gravity is also an important issue. The lack of gravity leads to changes in the body. It is especially problematic to combat the emerging illusion, which leads to the appearance of an incorrect perception of distance. Serious hormonal changes occur, fraught with unpleasant consequences. The problem is that there is a strong loss of calcium. Bone tissue is destroyed and muscle atrophy is provoked. Doctors are very concerned about all these adverse effects of weightlessness. Usually, after returning to Earth, the space crew team is actively restoring depleted mineral reserves in the body. It takes about a year or more. To reduce the adverse effects of the absence of gravity, special short-radius centrifuges have been developed. Experimental work with them is ongoing today, since it is difficult for scientists to determine how much such a centrifuge should work to create favorable conditions for astronauts.
All this is difficult not only from a scientific and technical point of view, but also is incredibly expensive.
Medical problems
Medicine requires special attention. It is necessary to create such conditions that, if necessary, during the implementation of the expedition to Mars, a simple surgical operation could be performed. There is a high probability that an unknown virus or microbe lives on the red planet, which can destroy the entire crew in a matter of hours. On board must be present physicians of several specializations. Very good therapists, psychologists and surgeons. It will be necessary to periodically take tests from crew members, to monitor the condition of the whole organism. This point requires the availability of the necessary medical equipment on board.
Failures of the sensation of the day will lead to improper metabolism and the appearance of insomnia. This will need to be controlled and eliminated as much as possible with the use of special drugs. Work will be carried out daily in very difficult and extreme technological conditions. A passing weakness will inevitably lead to serious errors.
Psychological stress
The psychological burden on the entire crew of the ship will be enormous. The likelihood that for astronauts a flight to Mars may be the last expedition will inevitably lead to fears, depression, feelings of hopelessness and depressive states. And that is not all. Under the negative psychological pressure, during an expedition to Mars, people will inevitably begin to enter into conflict situations that can provoke irreparable consequences. Therefore, the selection for shuttles is always very, very thorough. Future astronauts pass a lot of psychological tests, revealing their strengths and weaknesses. It is important to create the illusion of a familiar world on a ship. For example, consider changing the year, the presence of vegetation, and even imitation of the voices of birds. This will make it easier to stay on a foreign planet and mitigate stressful situations.
Crew selection
Question number one: "Who will fly to a distant planet?" The space community sensibly understands that such a breakthrough should be made by an international crew. You cannot assign all responsibility to one country. In order not to fail the expedition to Mars, it is necessary to think through every technical and psychological moment. The crew should include real experts in many areas who will provide the necessary assistance in emergency situations and will be able to easily adapt to the new situation.
Mars is the distant dream of many astronauts. But not everyone seeks to run for this flight. Because such a journey is very dangerous, fraught with many mysteries and may be the last. Although there are also desperate daredevils who long for their names to be on the cherished lists of the members of the Expedition to Mars program. Volunteers are already applying. Even gloomy forecasts do not stop them. Scientists openly warn that for astronauts this is - quite possibly - the last expedition. Modern technology will be able to deliver a spaceship to Mars, but it is not known whether it will be able to start from the planet.
Machismo
All scientists are unanimous in the opinion that women should be removed from the first expedition. The following arguments are in favor of this:
- the female body is not well understood in the space zone, it is not known how its complex hormonal system will behave under conditions of prolonged weightlessness,
- physically, a lady is less hardy than a man,
- Numerous tests and scientific studies confirm that the psychology of women by nature is less adapted to extreme situations, they are more prone to depression in a state of hopelessness.
Why even fly to this planet?
All scientists unanimously declare that this planet is very similar to our Earth. It is believed that once along its surface the same rivers flowed and plants with trees grew. To establish the reasons why life on Mars was cut short, research is needed. This is a complex study of soil and air. Mars rovers have taken samples many times, and these data have been studied in detail. However, there is very little material, so the overall picture could not be compiled. It was only established that on the Red Planet, under certain conditions, one can live.
It is believed that if there is the possibility of organizing a colony on Mars, then this must be used. Living on our plan is potentially risky. For example, when a huge meteorite enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it will completely destroy all life. But with the development of Martian space, one can hope for the salvation of part of the human race.
In modern conditions of overpopulation of our planet, the exploration of Mars will help to overcome the demographic crisis.
Many political leaders are curious about the depths of the Red Planet. After all, natural resources are ending, which means that new sources would be very helpful.
The study of stars that are further from the Earth, but closer to Mars, the desire to look further into the mysterious depths of space is another reason for the desire to conquer the Red Planet.
In the future, Mars can be used as a testing ground for experiments (for example, atomic explosions), which are very dangerous for the Earth.
