JOURNEY TO
MARS!
By: Shreya Mehta and John Gavura
When are you planning on
completing this mission?
• In order to use up the least amount of fuel, traveling to Mars
would be a lot more efficient when it is closer to Earth.
• Every time earth passes close to Mars, it is called an
opposition. This occurs every 2 years and 2 months.
• The next time we will be at opposition with mars it will be April
8th, 2014.
• The closest encounter to Mars will be April 14th, 2014.
Date of
Opposition
Date of
Closest Encounter
Closest Distance
(AUs / Millions of Miles)
Feb 12 1995
Mar 17 1997
Apr 24 1999
Jun 13 2001
Aug 28 2003
Nov 07 2005
Dec 24 2007
Jan 29 2010
Mar 03 2012
Apr 08 2014
May 22 2016
Jul 27 2018
Oct 13 2020
Dec 08 2022
Jan 16 2025
Feb 19 2027
Mar 25 2029
May 04 2031
Feb 11 1995
Mar 20 1997
May 01 1999
Jun 21 2001
Aug 27 2003
Oct 30 2005
Dec 18 2007
Jan 27 2010
Mar 05 2012
Apr 14 2014
May 30 2016
Jul 31 2018
Oct 06 2020
Dec 01 2022
Jan 12 2025
Feb 20 2027
Mar 29 2029
May 12 2031
0.67569 / 62.8
0.65938 / 61.3
0.57846 / 53.8
0.45017 / 41.8
0.37272 / 34.6
0.46406 / 43.1
0.58935 / 54.8
0.66398 / 61.7
0.67368 / 62.6
0.61756 / 57.4
0.50321 / 46.8
0.38496 / 35.8
0.41492 / 38.6
0.54447 / 50.6
0.64228 / 59.7
0.67792 / 63.0
0.64722 / 60.2
0.55336 / 51.4
Jun 27 2033
Jul 05 2033
0.42302 / 39.3
Sep 15 2035
Sep 11 2035
0.38041 / 35.4
Nov 19 2037
Nov 11 2037
0.49358 / 45.9
How long does it take to
reach Mars?
• It takes about 150 to 300 days to reach Mars.
• The earth revolves faster around the sun than Mars. Earth travels
18.5 miles per second and mars travels 14.5 miles per second.
• We can't aim at Mars directly. To reach Mars, a rocket needs to be
launched from Earth toward where Mars WOULD BE in 5 to 8
months. This method is called the Hohmann Transfer Orbit. Which
sends space crafts to Mars in the least amount of fuel.
• By decreasing the travel time, it could reduce the amount time the
people are exposed to radiation.
1
2
3
4
THE VASIMR
A type of fuel which consists of three
linked magnetic cells.
1) Heats atoms (neutral gases) such as
argon with a radiofrequency generator to
create plasma,
•
This fuel could launch a rocket going
35 mi/sec.
•
It can hold 5,000 miles per gallon
•
It could cut down the roundtrip from 2
1/2 years to 5 months.
eg. NY to LA in 1 min and 30 sec.
2) The plasma gets as hot as 50,000
degrees celsius. The Electromagnetic
waves then energize the plasma even
more. Now the plasma is about a million
degrees, almost as hot as the center of
the Earth.
3) By putting a magnetic field around it,
The plasma gets heated and contains it
so nothing will be damaged.
Escape Velocity of Mars: 11,253 mph
Escape Velocity of Earth: 25,030 mph
Payload
• One of the important things needed would be exercise equipment to
keep the astronauts fit and healthy.
• The food and the number of people on the spacecraft.
• The fuel tank we are using (VASIMR) which holds 5,000 miles a
gallon, so the tank is relatively small.
Mars' Atmosphere
• The atmosphere is very thin and very cold; whatever water there is, it
is frozen by the poles as permafrost or in deep underground springs.
• The atmosphere is 95% CO2 and it lacks a protective ozone layer,
which allows suns' UV rays to reach mars' surface.
• Average atmospheric pressure is less than 1% of earth's.
• Atmosphere is too cold to rain on mars and it is too thin to have any
amount of snowfall
• The average surface temperature is -63 C (-81 F). Temperature at
night can go as low as -110 C (-170 F)
• Mars’ landscape is very dry and desert like. It also consists of
mountains and craters.
• The terrain is like Earth with mountains, volcanoes, canyons,
channels, etc.
Gravity
• Gravity of Earth: 9.78 m/sec
• Gravity of Mars: 3.71 m/sec
• Mars' gravity is 38% the Earths.
eg: A person weighing 100 Kg on earth they weigh 38 kg on Mars.
• This could have a lasting effect on astronaut's bones and muscles
because it wouldn't be put into use as often
• Because the gravity is lower on Mars it would take a lot less effort and
force to do the simplest things like raising your hand and walking.
Landing on Mars
Mawrth Valley
-It is the boundary
between the southern
highlands and northern
lowlands of mars.
-It is the area where the
planet drops in elevation.
-It's a channel carved by
various floods.
-Minerals like
phyllosilicates were
formed there in the
presence of water.
-It's a hazard free landing
zone.
• A nuclear power plant should be planted on mars which
would allow oxygen to be separated from the carbon
Dioxide in the atmosphere and extract water from
hydrated materials in the soil.
• The atmosphere on Mars is thick enough to protect crops
grown on the surface from solar flare.
• The thin-walled inflatable plastic greenhouses are
protected by the unpressurized, UV-resistant, hard-plastic
shield domes which can be used to quickly create
cropland on the surface of Mars.
• Scientists from MIT and University of Tennessee designed an
electrochemical cell which is powered by a small nuclear reactor.
• The cell passes a 450 amp current through the Oxide rich rocks
which make up the surface of mars. The cell melts the rocks and
releases the oxygen, known as electrolysis.
• People need about 3 kg of oxygen a day. The cell can extract that
much oxygen from 8 kg of rocks on mars.
• Water can be created the same way people make decaffeinated
coffee. The carbon dioxide is compressed and then is used to
dissolve water which is locked up in minerals on Mars’ surface.
• After the compressed gas has passed over the rocks it expands and
releases clean water.
Food
• The astronauts are going to be in a spacecraft for about
5 to 8 months. During that time they could eat vacuum
sealed food so the food stays fresh.
• For water, they would recycle urine and waste water into
potable water which could be used for drinking, bathing,
etc.
• The astronauts could also bring crops along with them to
plant in the greenhouse dome they will create on the
Martian surface.
Dava Newman's Bio Suit:
• Astronauts need a pressurized
space suit to survive the harsh
conditions on Mars.
• The space suits used now
contain a mixture of gases. which
make them large and bulky.
• The Bio suit is tight and stretchy
which applies pressure to the
skin mechanically instead of
barometrically,
• The suit maintains about 30% of
the Earth's pressure. This would
allow astronauts full mobility for 8
hours.
It is made out of polymers such as nylon
and spandex.
Plans for Exploration
• The astronauts would try to drill into the ground for sources of
water
• They would look for certain minerals in the rocks that could
have or does produce oxygen.
• By exploring the rocks and surrounding they could figure out
what has happened in the past.
• By exploring these items on Mars, we hope to prove that life
once existed and that it is capable of holding potential life in
the future.
Eccentricity of Mars compared to
Earth
Seasons in southern hemisphere are more extreme
while northern hemisphere is less extreme. Mars
currently has an axis tilt of 25.2 degrees but varies
from 14- 44 degrees over time.
Coming back home!
Date of
Opposition
Date of
Closest Encounter
Closest Distance
(AUs / Millions of
Miles)
Feb 12 1995
Mar 17 1997
Apr 24 1999
Jun 13 2001
Aug 28 2003
Nov 07 2005
Dec 24 2007
Jan 29 2010
Mar 03 2012
Apr 08 2014
May 22 2016
Jul 27 2018
Oct 13 2020
Dec 08 2022
Jan 16 2025
Feb 19 2027
Mar 25 2029
May 04 2031
Jun 27 2033
Sep 15 2035
Nov 19 2037
Feb 11 1995
Mar 20 1997
May 01 1999
Jun 21 2001
Aug 27 2003
Oct 30 2005
Dec 18 2007
Jan 27 2010
Mar 05 2012
Apr 14 2014
May 30 2016
Jul 31 2018
Oct 06 2020
Dec 01 2022
Jan 12 2025
Feb 20 2027
Mar 29 2029
May 12 2031
Jul 05 2033
Sep 11 2035
Nov 11 2037
0.67569 / 62.8
0.65938 / 61.3
0.57846 / 53.8
0.45017 / 41.8
0.37272 / 34.6
0.46406 / 43.1
0.58935 / 54.8
0.66398 / 61.7
0.67368 / 62.6
0.61756 / 57.4
0.50321 / 46.8
0.38496 / 35.8
0.41492 / 38.6
0.54447 / 50.6
0.64228 / 59.7
0.67792 / 63.0
0.64722 / 60.2
0.55336 / 51.4
0.42302 / 39.3
0.38041 / 35.4
0.49358 / 45.9
What about the
physical and
psychological
aspects?
• Because there is no gravity in space makes it
really easy to float around.
• Being in space for 7 to 8 months could have a
major impact on the bones and muscles in a
body. They could start to break down because
there is no use for them.
• This could be solved by exercising frequently
and creating artificial gravity to apply pressure
on the muscles and bones.
This is a machine generating a force which
pushes things to the wall. This would allow the
astronauts to work against the gravity to move.
Being trapped in an enclosed area for 7 to 8 months could have a major
impact on the brain.
• boredom
• depression
• Isolation
• irritation with each other (hide info)
•
knowledge of Earth being so far away
Solution:
•
Chose who is going to complete this mission carefully. People that trust
each other and are fond of each other will have an easier time getting
along.
• People with an idea of what to expect will most likely adapt to their
surroundings quicker.
Works Cited
Cain, Fraser. "How Long Does It Take to Get to Mars?" Universe Today RSS. N.p., 26 July 2012.
Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
"The Case of the Missing Mars Water." - NASA Science. Science@NASA, 5 Jan. 2001. Web. 24
Mar. 2013.
Coffey, Jerry. "Gravity on Mars." Universe Today RSS. N.p., 5 June 2008. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
Lee, Jane J. "Psychological Challenges of a Manned Mission to Mars." National Geographic.
National Geographic Society, 27 Feb. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
"Mars Exploration Program: Quick Facts." Mars Exploration Program: Quick Facts. National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
"Mars." Fact Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
"Mars Science Laboratory: Possible MSL Landing Site: Mawrth Vallis." Mars Science
Laboratory: Possible MSL Landing Site: Mawrth Vallis. NASA, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
Mulcahy, Michael. "New Ion Engine Could Reach Mars in 39 Days." New Ion Engine Could
Reach Mars in 39 Days. N.p., 28 July 2009. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.
"The Naked Scientists." How to Make Water and Oxygen on Mars -. The Naked Scientists, 13 July 2002. Web. 24
Mar. 2013.
"The Oppositions of Mars." The Oppositions of Mars. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
"Solar System Exploration: News & Events: Frequently Asked Questions: Mars." Solar System Exploration: News
& Events: Frequently Asked Questions: Mars. NASA, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
"Video: Can We Make It to Mars? | Watch NOVA ScienceNOW Online | PBS Video." PBS.org. N.p., n.d. Web.
24 Mar. 2013.
"Your Life on Mars | Latest Features | Physics.org." Your Life on Mars | Latest Features | Physics.org. N.p., n.d.
Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
"Mars 101 Is an Introduction to What We Know and Hope to Discover about Mars. Like the Researchers
Studying the Red Planet, You Can Learn about Mars by Comparing Its Similarities and Differences to
Earth." Phoenix Mars Mission. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.
":: NASA Quest Aerospace ::." :: NASA Quest Aerospace ::. NASA, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2013.