Moon to Mars
C. P. McKay
NASA Ames Research Center
cmckay@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Greenhouses at a Mars Base: 2025+
When we go we will take plants with us.
In fact, we’ll send them first.
Near-term missions
Using the martian soil and atmosphere for a plant growth module
Life to Mars
• An organism-level test of soil biohazard,
environment, radiation, and martian gravity.
• A technical and programmatic basis for advanced
plant-based life support systems.
• Provides a wonderful opportunity for public
involvement (FTD: Flowers to Mars).
• Symbolic as first organism to grow, live, and die
on another world.
• Helps diffuse back contamination issues for sample
return and human missions.
• Biological precursor to human exploration.
• Consistent with planetary protection with no
inadvertent forward contamination of Mars.
Mars Exploration Program
Advisory Group
GOAL IV: PREPARE FOR HUMAN
EXPLORATION
B. Objective: Conduct in-situ engineering science
demonstrations (investigations listed in priority
order)
7. Investigation: Demonstrate plant growth in the
Martian environment.
Demonstrate the ability of the Martian environment
(soil, solar flux, radiation, etc.) to support life, such as
plant growth, to support future human missions.
Validation requires in-situ measurements and process
verification. http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/
Do it on the Moon first
•Partial gravity
•Radiation
•Planetary protection
Mission Concept
- Lunar plant growth module mission as a precursor for
Mars.
- Step towards Martian greenhouses for human
exploration.
Moon
Mars
Advantages of Lunar Precursor Mission
· Close proximity to Earth
[3 days (Moon) vs 6 months (Mars)]
· Easier landing
[fewer unknown design variables, i.e. no atmosphere]
· Continuous communication during mission
[always on lunar nearside]
· Technology demonstration of plant growth chambers,
engineering systems
· Demonstrate capability to comply with planetary protection
guidelines before landing on prime astrobiological target of
Mars
Landing Sites
Requirements
• Nearside of Moon for
continuous line-of-sight
communication with Earth
• Minimal terrain-related
landing hazards (flat surface
with low slope, minimal rocks
and boulders, sufficient regolith
coverage if using lunar soil)
Suggested landing site is Oceanus
Procellarum because a) meets selection
criteria and b) previous in situ studies
from Luna 9, Luna 13, Apollo 12,
Surveyor 3.
• Land on terminator to allow
for maximum mission lifetime
(limited by sunlight availability)
Lander Operations Timeline
HIGH
NOON
Day 7
DAWN
Day 1
DUSK
Day 15
Follow-On Missions
Lunar Plant Growth Module
Martian Plant Growth Module
Lunar Greenhouses
Martian Greenhouses
Fly me to the moon…
The Antarctica Model
Fifty years of continuous operations, 1-15 month tours.
Three permanent bases with temporary field camps.
Dec 1956: Bases established, IGY Cold War competition.
Science exploration was rationale, NSF assumed responsibility for science in
19XX.
1970s, 1980s: US Antarctic research program operated as a part of foreign
policy & military preparedness for cold weather operations.
1990s: Cold War ends, military activities in USARP reduced.
2000: Helicopter transport provided by private sector.
2005: Civilian science (NSF) managed program entirely. Contractor operation
of base (Ratheon Polar Services)
Air Force provides transport to Antarctica, Coast Guard provides ice breaker.
2006: NSF directed to assume operation of ice breakers.
Applying the Antarctic Model to
the Moon
2018: NASA establishes scientific research base on Moon.
2023: Base declared operational. Geological science activities
become part of NSF. NASA focuses on Mars (and beyond).
NASA provides transportation to and from Moon.
2030: Private sector provides transport to and from Moon.
NASA is working on Mars.