Introduction:
In my group, we played around with the topic of Mars’s colonization. What are the risks present? Is it even possible to make Mars into a habitable place for humans? These questions came to mind when thinking about colonization. However, I decided to look into the question: is it possible to colonize Mars on a short-term basis? Three articles help to illustrate parts of this question, with the first being A Low-Pressure, N2/CO2 Atmosphere Is Suitable for Cyanobacterium-Based Life-Support Systems on Mars, “Mars environment and magnetic orbiter scientific and measurement objectives”, and “How Safe Is Safe Enough? Radiation Risk for a Human Mission to Mars.” Each article details a possible risk we face in Mars and some solutions we may have.
A Possible Method for Life Support:
Before settling in a place, it is important to know if you can survive there for a short period of time. The thought of colonizing Mars on a permanent basis cannot be realized if staying there for a short time will be so hard. While trying to live in Mars on a short-term basis, a few things come to mind: sustainability, health risks, and environment. It is best to find a way to live on Mars without over reliance on food from Earth, as there are too many factors that can put astronauts at risk of dying from thirst and starvation. It was mentioned in the first article: A Low-Pressure, N2/CO2 Atmosphere Is Suitable for Cyanobacterium-Based Life-Support Systems on Mars that: “Those for the first mission may be sent off Earth, but launch costs, travel times, and risks of failure are such that the viability of a sustainable program will depend on our ability to produce consumables on site (Horneck et al., 2006).” This article focuses on the possibility of creating life support on Mars through microorganisms. By testing various different bacteria under conditions similar to Mars’s environment, we can determine what we need to get life support started on Mars. Using a machine that can accurately control atmospheric conditions, they are able to determine what microorganism can survive Mars’s conditions and help create life support. An explanation of the device is:
Our study relied on a low-pressure, atmosphere-controlled photobioreactor which we dubbed Atmos (standing for Atmosphere Tester for Mars-bound Organic Systems). This device (see Figure 3) comprises nine vessels, each of which can host up to 1.17 l (including the gas phase) of a photosynthetic microbial culture, providing 4-sided illumination, stirring, heating and, most notably, accurately controlled atmospheric conditions. (Verseux, et al.)
Through this machine, researchers assessed and compiled data on microorganisms that will aid in the creation of a life system. Their results are as follows: a photobioreactor can use Mars’s atmosphere to cultivate microorganisms. However, there are many variables still needed to test out. Part of the results are: “First, an atmosphere of 96% N2 and 4% CO2 at a total pressure of 100 hPa (MDA-1) supported the vigorous growth of Anabaena sp. Second, the resulting biomass seems suitable as a substrate for downstream BLSS modules, as shown here with the heterotrophic bacterium E. coli… (Verseux, et al.) ”
Environmental Issues:
The environment of Mars is another issue. While the results of creating life support on Mars seems possible, surviving the climate and conditions Mars contains can be tough. The other two articles address the environment of Mars and the risk of radiation. One thing we must note is the differences between the atmosphere of Earth and Mars. The second article analyses Mars’s magnetic field and atmosphere, comparing it to Earth. The atmosphere is similar, but has key differences that make Mars trickier to work with. Mars’s atmosphere stretches higher than Earths. In the article, it tells us that: “On Earth, the stratosphere confines the Hadley cell and most of the planetary waves to the troposphere, below 20 km. On Mars, there is no similar effect, and many structures extend vertically up to the thermosphere (120 km).” Due to the structure of the atmosphere, it would be harder to create a life system, as we don’t know the effects of transforming Mars’s atmosphere. Another key difference of Earth and Mars lies in the magnetic fields. Magnetic fields help shield the planet from solar winds and help keep the planet’s inner temperature warm. Earth’s magnetic field, which is balanced in the North and South poles create a barrier that blocks most of the Sun’s rays from reaching our planet and killing us. However, that isn’t the case with Mars. As stated in the introduction of this article: “To first order, the northern hemisphere lowlands are almost devoid of magnetic signals, while the cratered southern hemisphere highlands are associated with strong magnetic fields.” Mars’s magnetic poles cannot create an effective barrier, which will prove harmful to humans if it is not addressed. The article goes on to state the objectives for further study, such as measuring magnetization directions and the internal structure of Mars.
The Risk of Radiation:
As previously mentioned, Mars has a lack of shielding from the solar winds, which helps stabilize the planet’s temperature, but most importantly, keep most of the radiation out of the planet. The third article addresses the dangers of radiation to people on their way to Mars. Astronauts are constantly exposed to cosmic rays, which can be harmful when exposed to, even with a protective suit on. The types of waves that appear in space are far different than the ones we face on Earth. As mentioned in this article: “A key component of this concern are the types of radiation that occur in space [1]–[6], which produce distinct types of biological damage from radiation on Earth such as X-rays or gamma-rays.” The different types of rays can affect the body far more severely than gamma rays or X-rays. However, these tests are still a work in progress. As mentioned in the discussion portion of the article, “Our predictions are incomplete in several aspects.” A few factors were not addressed, such as the extent of the damage gamma rays can cause versus cosmic rays can. However, the tests did show that the rate of cancer is higher. The discussion portion explains: “…results from a recent epidemiological analysis [8] of circulatory disease risks from human exposures to low LET radiation. The combined risk was shown to increase %REID by about 40% from predictions of cancer risk alone.” While the risk of cancer is higher, the risk of death has yet to be determined.
Conclusion:
Each topic presents an issue or research into the colonization and environment of Mars. As it stands, we cannot colonize Mars in a short-term basis. In the future, when we gain more knowledge on the planet, we can attempt to colonize it. However, as it stands, we cannot do so at the moment.
Sources Cited:
Leblanc, F., et al. “Mars environment and magnetic orbiter scientific and measurement objectives.” Astrobiology, vol. 9, no. 1, 2009, p. 71+. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A200117810/AONE?u=cuny_ccny&sid=AONE&xid=bf61c955. Accessed 11 Mar. 2021.
Cucinotta, Francis A., et al. “How Safe Is Safe Enough? Radiation Risk for a Human Mission to Mars.” PLoS ONE, vol. 8, no. 10, 2013, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0074988.
Verseux, Cyprien, et al. “A Low-Pressure, N2/CO2 Atmosphere Is Suitable for Cyanobacterium-Based Life-Support Systems on Mars.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 7 Jan. 2021, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.611798/full.
