The Future of Mars

Will We Ever Set Foot on Mars?

2010-03-15T23:34:00.000-04:00

Currently with the US government in huge debt and the cut backs to NASA, it is very unlikely that anything new will happen in the coming years as far as Mars is concerned. I do feel that eventually we will set foot on Mars. Most likely in another 40 - 50 years from now. Anything attempted sooner is surely bound to fail since I feel we have not invested in deep space research to attempt a manned trip to mars or any other spacial body beyond the moon.

A manned mission to Mars should involve landing and establishing some form of base for future manned missions to continue on a regular basis. Unless we visit Mars regularly, I cannot see the point in ever attempting to set foot on Mars in the first place.

Is terraforming Mars a possibility?

Is this even something remotely being considered by the Nasa experts? I do feel that we will reach a breaking point on Earth and we will have to move beyond our own planet for mankind to survive, about 50+ years from now. The resources alone on Earth are becoming limited as I write this and we are already destroying the delicate balance that Mother Nature has created. Terraforming Mars could be a possibility but then again there may be ways to live on Mars without terraforming that we are not aware of today.

Setting up camp on the moon for a small party of experts is a possibility too but I am not sure about 1000's or even 100's of people on the moon is really a good idea. We experience the weather patterns we do today based on a delicate balance between the energy we receive from the sun and the effects of the moon. Would having 100's of people on the moon do more harm than good to the weather patterns on Earth? I am no scientist or have any real experience with anything related to science or physics but any change to the moons tragectory or motion around the Earth would not a good thing.

Would the daily activities of 100's of people on the moon affect the moon in a manner that is felt on Earth? Many experts might say no but would they be saying this based on scientific fact or any conclusive evidence? If and when we do actually send people to the moon, I hope we treat lightly and do not overstay our welcome.

Update on the Spirit Rover.

2010-03-15T23:08:00.001-04:00

Well there has not been much activity on the NASA website since February 24th. Seems like Spirit is currently still in its last position. Stuck in the sandy soil. The solar panel is still collecting the suns rays and generating some needed power. Nasa has found an innovative use of Spirit while it is in its motionless state.

The stationary radio signal is used to measure the Mars rotation and movements around the sun. This is certainly one creative use of Spirit that stilltrying to survive the Martian winter. It does not seem likely that the issues associated with the damaged wheel will allow Spirit to ever move beyond its current location. Once summer arrives on Mars and Spirit is still operational, it will be intersting to see if Nasa has some tricks up its sleeve to get Spirit moving again.

Source: Nasa

Spirit and Opportunity

2009-12-27T23:06:00.003-05:00

It will be 6 years on January 4th when the first rover landed on Mars followed by the second on the 25th of January. Spirt and Opportunity were originally slated for a 90 day operation each. I cannot believe and I am certain that all the engineers that worked on the original design probably cannot believe that these land rovers are still in operation after all these years.

How does a remote vehicle designed for a maximum 90 day operation running on a temporary battery and solar panels still operate after all these years? Spirit has travelled 7.7 Kilometers and Opportunity has travelled 18.9 Kilometers. This does not seem like a long distance in almost 6 years but I can just imagine how much science has been completed within this short distance travelled. It was less than 2 months after the first landing that one of the rovers discovered that water was present on Mars at one point. After almost 6 years there has not been any evidence found of previously living organisms as far as I know though. Even so, it is still exciting to know that these man made remote vehicles are still roaming around on this remote planet that is millions of kilometers away. Apparently the shortest distance we have seen mars to earth was in 2003 which was about 55 million kilometers away. The actual distance varies depending on the date and the furthest distance has been calculated as being around 401 kilometers away.

I can still remember some of the first images I saw when the rovers made their first movements off the lander platform. I was so excited that we finally had a roving vehicle on Mars to take soil and air samples. The main purpose was to find out if water ever existed on Mars and it seems like NASA has at least actually accomplished this.

With the United States cutting back on Mars related projects at this time, it will be some time before we see any new large scale operations but it will not be the end. I have not understood exactly why we truly need to be spending billions of dollars to send unmanned crafts to Mars but the reasons must be more than just couriousity. I hope on January 4th, 2010, which will be the 6th anniversary of the first rover landing that NASA will do some major public announcements and showcase some if its recent discoveries to the world. I am truly looking forward to hearing more about the latest discoveries beyond what has been mentioned on the NASA website.

If you have never been to the Mars rover website, you have to checkout some of the recent updates. http://marsrover.nasa.gov/home/index.html

Water Discovered on the Moon

2009-12-22T21:42:00.006-05:00

Well it has been almost 3 years again since I last posted on Blogger. Seems like every 3 years I post something here. At least I am posting on a regular basis even though it is only once every 3 years.

Anyways, about water on the moon. This is a huge find and a large boost for NASA. Now that the US President has cut some of the space funding for now, NASA can push for more funding in the future to aid in the development of manned missions to the moon.

Going to the moon and landing compared to Mars is a better proposition that needs to happen in my lifetime. These are my simple reasons for pushing for a manned moon mission.

It is closer to us thus much cheaper to execute.
The water discovered on the moon can be used to create fuel, oxygen and drinking water for future missions launched from the moon without the huge expense of transporting water from earth.
A manned station on the moon can certainly be a great research test location for astronauts that will someday travel to Mars.
Though we still do not posses concrete evidence that intelligent life exists on another planet, we owe it to our future generations to establish a colony off of earth sooner than later before we deplete the necessary resources we need to survive on earth. The moon is a great starting location.
The moon may be considered a huge lump of rock but without the moon, we probably would not be around on earth to this day. The effect of the moon on our daily lives go far beyond the simple crescent to a full moon cycle we see each month. The moon affects the tides, controls the mood in many of us and some also say that the womans menstrual cycle is affected by the moons lunar cycle. Therefore studying how our lives are affected by the moon from the position of the moon may have some profound developments to our lives.

I feel we have spent too much time and resources on the International space station and a new direction and initiative for space should be considered in the near future. The space shuttle is also a dinosaur that should have been retired years ago.

There has been a number of civilians that have travelled to the space station by paying tens of millions of dollars to get there. I do not feel that years of expensive training and millions of dollars are required to send one person to outer space. People can go to the moon and back if a number of countries that already have experience in space come together and develop a commercial launch vehicle and space station on the moon. The number of companies willing to use the moon base for research is probably in the thousands. Many individuals probably would be willing to pay at least 1 million dollars for the opportunity to travel to the moon and back.

I hope to hear in the next 2 - 4 years some exciting news about sending astronauts to the moon again. I may not see space tourism in my lifetime but just the thought that this will happen in the future is still exciting.

How to Send Rovers and Various Equipment to Mars

2007-02-04T16:16:00.000-05:00

Currently there has been over 40 different crafts sent to Mars by a number of space agencies around the world. Only a few have been successful with NASA leading the way currently with their Spirit and Opportunity rovers.

The reason why I feel we have not had more attempts to survey Mars is due to the limited number of agencies involved in this adventure plus the limited resources and funding available. If we could commercialize this process in a manner that allows the average person like myself to invest $500 - $2000 USD in one aspect of the Mars mission, I could see thousands of individuals contributing to this process. Specially if the whole mission can involve 10's of 1,000's of individual modules that comprise the whole launch vehicle and landing capsule to be sent to Mars in one launch.

These modules could have a cost factor for the individual of:

$500.00 USD X 10000 units = $5,000,000.00
$1000.00 USD X 10000 units = $10,000,000.00
$1500.00 USD X 10000 units = $15,000,000.00
$2000.00 USD X 10000 units = $20,000,000.00
Total = 50,000,000 USD dollars invested by individuals

The modules could be part of the:
IR camera module
Digital color camera module
Sound processing module
Memory storage module
Atmospheric temperature module
Chemical analysis module
Battery pack module
Central processor Unit module
Robotic arm mobule
Robotic motor module
Remote sensor module
Wireless communication module
Propulsion module
Solar panel module
Landing pod module
Heating module
Various other modules that make up the launch vehicle, the capsule and the rovers that will land and explore the Mars surface.

In return for the investment, the individual will have his/her name plate on the side of the module. A duplicate name plate with the details on what was sponsored clearly marked on the plate. Plus a certificate of authenticity and a monthly update from the lead technician involved in the development of the module emailed to the investor. For the launch, investors will be given the opportunity to be able to sit in a theatre and watch the launch on a large screen.

Other aspects of the mission can be sponsored by Corporations.
These would involve the support of actual complete sections of the launch hardware.
The booster rockets
The control module
The transport module
The landing capsule
The rovers
The launch platform on Earth
The control center on Earth

The investor in this case will get a wall plaque with a duplicate plate of the one that will be mounted on the actual sponsored item. A monthly update from the managing supervisor and an onsite seat at the launch of the vehicle. Corporate sponsorship that are separate from the actual companies that supply the technology and parts for the Mars mission are very critical. These companies can provide moral support without the direct connection to the development and maintenance of the Mars mission.

The Future of Mars After 3 Years

2007-02-03T00:51:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been 3 years since I have posted to this blog. Since that time, things have changed on Mars. Specially in regards to the activities of the Mars Spirit Rover which now has 1007 SOLS past the warranty date and the sister rover Opportunity has 987 SOLS past the warranty date.

SOLS = none earth days

According to this Nasa Site:
http://observe.arc.nasa.gov/nasa/exhibits/mars/voyage/atmos.html

This is the atmospheric compositions of Mars compared to Earth.
Mars
Earth
Carbon dioxide
95%
Nitrogen
78%
Nitrogen
2.7%
Oxygen
21%
Argon
1.6%
Carbon dioxide, Argon, and other trace gases
1%
Oxygen
0.13%

Looks like the numbers are totally off wack and we really need to boost the Oxygen and Nitrogen levels plus drastically reduce the level of Carbon dioxide.
Extracting the Oxygen from the Carbon dioxide is not a good idea since it leaves you with Carbon monoxide which is poisonous to humans. Mother Nature has enzymes that takes Carbon dioxide and produces carbonate and Hydrogen gas.
This process seems like a great way to reduce the Carbon dioxide but seems like it does little in increasing the neeeded Oxygen or Nitrogen levels. Also, this process consumes very little of the Carbon dioxide. Therefore, an equal volume of enzymes would be required to match the existing volume of carbon dioxide to reduce the levels drastically in a short time frame. This would not be very practical.
I have considered transplanting organisms from Earth onto Mars. Like enzymes or algae. These could be transported in small pods and actually grown on Mars to increase the levels of Hydrogen and Oxygen production.
Electrolysis can be used to extract Hydogen and Oxygen from liquids we transport to Mars.
The Mir Space station has used canisters of Lithium perchlorate that when ignited produces the largest concentration of oxygen per given weight of solid materials. This chemical reaction is one of the best solutions thus far in producing Oxygen.
In all cases, the issue is the actual volume of elements created within a given amount of time.
1: The first process of using living organism is a very slow process. Easily centuries could pass before we can measure any significant level increases in the Martian atmosphere.
2: Transporting liquid materials involves quantities of materials that would be insufficient to be carried by one of our current rocket technologies. 1000's of rockets would be required to be launched to continuously supply the liquid fuel for the electrolysis process.
3: Though by weight using Lithium perchlorate would be a better proposition over any liquid based materials but this also is a material that requires continuous replenishing to be effective over time. Again, taking time into consideration, the process can take centuries to produce significant levels of Oxygen to change the Martian atmosphere.
With our existing knowledge, the most economical and efficient process to produce the necessary elements like Oxygen, Hydrogen and Nitrogen would be is to extract the elements from the Martian surface.
The current Mars missions with the rover Spirit and Opportunity have not discovered any significant areas with concentrations of Oxygen, Hydrogen or Nitrogen. These would be in the form of frozen gas or in the form of surface materials that could contain chlorates or salts. One reason being is that the current Mars missions by NASA do not indicate that this type of search is a priority. NASA Mars Mission The discovery of these elements indirectly can serve as a positive motivator for NASA to redirect funding for the purpose of terraforming Mars at some point.
If raw materials can be discovered on Mars that contain the basic elements like Oxygen, Hydrogen and Nitrogen, we could transport just the necessary equipment to process the raw materials 24/7.
My impressions currently is that this process is not as simple as taking Martian rock and extracting one of the elements directly. The Lithium perchlorate used by the Mir space station was originally manufactured from Sodium perchlorate and Lithium chloride. Therefore a complex level of processes would be required to extract the essential needed elements in the end.
Maybe if we can manufacture a transport ship the size of 2 football fields then we could at least transport some of the raw materials and processing equipment necessary to produce the raw elements in the end. For now, we will have to wait and see how the existing and future Mars missions develop.

New Life on Mars

2004-01-21T23:37:00.000-05:00

Lets say that no life is found with this current Mars mission and subsequent unmanned Mars missions.
Nasa may decide to create a semi permanent settlement on Mars. This would involve creating our own air, water and food supplies. This would not be a simple task. Transporting the necessary equipment at this stage with the astronauts is not feasable due to cost and craft size limitations.

We would have to send ships in advance. One to handle the creation of drinkable water from the frozen ice if H2O is discovered. Then the creation of oxygen for breathing and hydrogen for fuel, again from this water. Food will be another problem and if plants are to be send in the form of seeds, or plants, a greenhouse with the proper atmosphere will have to be created prior to mans arrival to ensure sufficient supplies.

What if Nasa or some other organization decides to make Mars more permanent? Who's to say that this decision of who goes and what the long term purpose will be is all up to Nasa?
What if another corporation has a more grandiose purpose like terraforming Mars?

Just like we would physically create a greenhouse to protect the plants from the harsh Martian atmosphere and temperature, we would need some protective layer to encapsulate the atmosphere that would be created to support life. I am not a physicist, biologist, or an expert in any field relating to terraforming but I think my imagination can come up with some plausible scenario's.

First what is missing on Mars to support life?
1: No breathable atmosphere for humans. Therefore we need carbon dioxide, oxygen, and nitrogen for starters.
2: Planet is too cold to support plant life.
3: No water in liquid form.
4: No plant life to generate oxygen naturally.

How do we resolve all or some of these issues without transporting huge quantities from Earth?

First I would heat Mars to allow any quantity of frozen ice naturally occuring to melt and flow as water.
Heating Mars may seem very difficult but we could probably achieve this by introducing non toxic GREENHOUSE gases to Mars in large enough quantities. Eventually the Martian atmosphere will collect the GREENHOUSE gases and form a barrier that will allow the atmosphere to retain any solar energy from the sun. This in turn will eventually increase the temperature of Mars.
6 GREENHOUSE gas creating ships can be launched from earth and situated strategically around the Martian surface. A chemical reation can generate the GREENHOUSE gas and emit this 24/7 for 2 - 3 years.

As the GREENHOUSE gas accumulates, the temperature of Mars will increase. This in turn will cause the polar ice caps to start melting creating rivers and lakes. Eventually weather conditions like rain clouds should start forming. Once sufficient GREENHOUSE gases have been created to sustain a permanent atmosphere consisting of GREENHOUSE gas and gaseous water, the generation of these gases can be terminated. With the melting of the polar caps, other gases may also be present within the ice and surface of Mars that will become part of the Martian atmosphere.

Mars Condition?

2004-01-19T15:27:00.001-05:00

One scenerio with Mars is this IMHO.

Mars has a rotation or a day that is similar to earth. 24 hours, 37 minutes, 23 seconds is a standard Mars day. Is it possible that Mars does not have life at all and that the longer Mars day has some bearing?
Maybe the distance from the sun, and the slightly longer rotational day was not sufficient to create the right environment for the formation of life?

Even if Mars does not have the building blocks for life to exist, will we use Mars as a stepping stone for future missions that takes man beyond our solar system? This is certainly a possibility.

We can certainly use Mars to position observatories and high gain telescopes to aid in our search for earth like planets. What if we do eventually locate a planet around a distant star that is approximately the same in characteristics to our earth? The distance away from the star is approiximately the same and with a 24 hour rotational day? Will there be life on this planet or can life be easily transplanted from earth if life does not exist?

This is certainly something to think about.

Water Found?

2004-01-19T15:15:00.000-05:00

Let's presume that the "Mars Exploration Rover Spirit" sent by Nasa does discover water.
What are the future considerations?

Well, with liquid water, this would be the perfect breeding ground for a chemical reaction. Be it organic or inorganic. Anything organic would prove that life exists on Mars. Anything inorganic would indicate that there is a potential for future chemical reactions or that reactions have occured depending on the molecule(s) discovered.

I am not convinced at this stage that we will discover any complex molecules or organisms on Mars yet that would have derived from the presence of water.

We will have to keep our eyes open to see what the Rover Spirit uncovers.

Current Status

2004-01-19T13:59:00.000-05:00

Currently there has been over 40 attempts to land on Mars.
Either by the Russians, Europeans, Japanese but only the United States have been successful.

All are looking for the presence of liquid water at this stage. Water happens to be one of the key elements for the creation of life as we know it. If and when we do find water, this will certainly pose a question. Did Mars at some point have life or does life still exist on Mars in some primitive form?

As for water, this will certainly increase humanities need and interest in sending a person to Mars. We will be able to use water for living and also assist in the creation of oxygen for breathing.

Will we discover water in liquid form? The next few weeks and months will bring some interesting reports from the current Mars rover.

2004-01-19T13:48:00.000-05:00

We are on the verge of setting a "FOOT on Mars" just like we did in the 70's with the lunar man missions.
What is the "Future of Mars"?
We are not sure yet but before we do actually send a person to Mars, I can suggest some ideas on what may transpire in the short and long term.

Bob

Mars		Earth
Carbon dioxide	95%	Nitrogen	78%
Nitrogen	2.7%	Oxygen	21%
Argon	1.6%	Carbon dioxide, Argon, and other trace gases	1%
Oxygen	0.13%