Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival Environmental conditions essential to support human life
Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
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Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
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Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
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Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
Hello space travelers! I have been investigating into whether or not it is possible for humans (earthlings) to live on other planets in the Solar System. But the investigation has been focusing mostly on the famous red planet, Mars. Humans have always been enhanced by space travel and astronomy and in 1981, science fiction became reality when NASA launched the first orbital spacecraft, Columbia. In order to enquire further into my investigation, I talked to an astronaut called Haritana, surfed the internet for hours, (luckily I didn't have to get wet), visited the Carter Observatory, and experienced eating freeze-‐dried ice-‐cream! (A.k.a. astronaut ice-‐cream.) In the following paragraphs, I am going to talk about my four main questions, here they are: • What environmental conditions are necessary to support human life in space? • Where else in the Solar System do we find some of these conditions? • What are the challenges facing Mars One to provide an environmental system to support human life to and on Mars? • What are the benefits/opportunities and the threats/risks/challenges of getting to and living on Mars? What environmental conditions are necessary to support human life in space and on planets? Humans really can't just travel to a random planet and start calling it home because without the suitable conditions that humans need, humans could very easily die. So what conditions do humans need? I found out that an atmosphere that can trap enough heat to keep warm when the planet turns around is a must have on a planet because when the planet rotates, the surface is no longer being exposed to the sun so it will be very cold. A heat insulating atmosphere will prevent the dark side of the planet from freezing while it is facing away from the sun. Another must have is a solar system with a single massive Sun than can serve as a long-‐lived, stable source of energy so we can develop a long termed colony, also the planet we are going to live on needs to have a rocky and stable surface (non-‐gaseous) so we won't accidently float right through the planet our die of the poisonous gases. The planet must be the right distance from the sun in order to preserve liquid water at the surface, if it’s too close, the water is burnt off in a runaway greenhouse effect. If it’s too far, the water is permanently frozen in a runaway glaciation. Also, the position of the solar system must be at the right place in the galaxy, not too near dangerous radiation, but close enough to other stars to be able to absorb heavy elements after neighboring stars die, so our planet won't be sucked into a black hole or be pulled into another one. To breathe, we need an oxygen-‐rich atmosphere or use sustainable oxygen tanks. Also, neighboring planets must have non-‐eccentric orbits (meaning controlled and doesn't clash with other planet's orbits) so we won't crash into them. The planet must be in the Goldilocks zone, not too hot and not too cold. (Carter Observatory Planetarium "We are Aliens" film) 4 | P a g e
Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
All of these conditions are vital for a planet to be able to support life and without them, humans won't be able to survive for 10 seconds. If you've investigated into Mars before, you might know that Mars actually has quite a surprising number of these conditions already so Mars has much potential to support life. Which kicks us off into the next question: Where else in the Solar System do we find some of these conditions? Name
Heat Gas Terrestrial Ice giant insulating Planet Planet atmosphere
Mercury
•
Too hot
•
•
Venus
•
•
Earth
•
•
•
Mars
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ne
•
•
•
Uranus
•
•
•
•
•
•
This chart shows the characteristics of some potential planets compared to Earth's. This is a summary of all the planets on the graph: Mercury: The messenger of the gods. Mercury has no heat insulating atmosphere so it is very cold at night and can reach -‐173°C. But at daytime, temperatures can reach 427°C so Mercury is both too hot and too cold for humans to live on. Mercury is a terrestrial planet meaning it is rocky and isn't made from gas. Mercury also has a stabilized orbit meaning its orbit is controlled and doesn't clash with other planet's orbits. Venus: The goddess of love. Venus has a very thick heat insulating atmosphere so it is very hot and can reach up to 462°C which is even warmer than Mercury which is closer to the sun. Venus also is a terrestrial planet and also has a stabilized orbit. 5 | P a g e
•
•
•
•
•
Saturn
•
•
Kepler 22b
•
•
•
•
Pluto
•
Stabili orbit
•
•
Just right/ Moons Goldilocks zone
•
Jupiter
Neptune
Too cold
Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
Earth: The planet with life. Earth also has a heat insulating atmosphere but luckily it isn't as thick as Venus's so our planet doesn't trap as much heat. Earth is a terrestrial planet and is just the right temperature for humans to live. Earth has a moon called Luna, but a moon isn't important for a livable planet to have. Earth has water which is vital to support human life. So far, Earth is the only planet which humans can have enough water to live. Mars: The god of war. Mars has a very thin atmosphere so I think humans will struggle with living in the freezing temperature of -‐125°C to 20°C. But Mars is a terrestrial planet with plate tectonics and a stabilized orbit so I think it is still possible for humans to live on Mars. Mars has two moons but this is unimportant information. The main fact is that Mars rovers have found evidence of liquid water on Mars! Unfortunately it is incredibly salty water but it is still a big step forward. Jupiter: King of the gods. Jupiter has a heat insulating atmosphere and is a gas giant, which means that it is made from gas and is unlivable because you would fall right through and die from the poisonous gasses. Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system and has the most moons. Jupiter also has a stabilized orbit and very thin rings that aren't visible. Jupiter also has many storms, most going on for years. Jupiter's most famous storm is the red spot which has been raging for more than 400 years and is 3 times the size of Earth. Jupiter is around 145°C. But the thing that's gotten scientists excited is the possibility of liquid water on Jupiter's moon Europa's surface. Saturn: God of time Saturn has a heat insulating atmosphere and is a gas giant. The temperature on Saturn is a freezing minus 178°C. Saturn is also the second biggest plant in the Solar System and like Jupiter has many, many moons. It's beautiful rings are made of ice and rock debris. Saturn has a stabilized orbit and does not have plate tectonics and water. Uranus: God of the sky. (Greek god) Uranus is the 7th planet from the sun and is very cold reaching temperatures of -‐153°C to -‐218°C but on the troposphere it can reach temperatures of 577°C! A very surprising temperature for such a cold planet. Unlike Jupiter and Saturn, Uranus is an ice giant instead of a gas giant because it's atmosphere is made out of ice instead of gas. Like many other planets, Uranus has many moons and lacks plate tectonics and water. Uranus also has rings but they are very thin and are not very visible. Neptune: God of the sea Neptune has a heat insulating atmosphere and is a gas giant. it is the planet furthest away from the sun so it is very cold and the temperature is around -‐218°C. Neptune has many moons and has a stabilized orbit, Neptune also has rings but they are hard to see. Pluto: God of death Pluto is a terrestrial dwarf planet which is way too cold because of its distance from the sun. But much like many other planets, Pluto has moons. The only dangerous part about Pluto is its orbit. It is controlled but it is more of an oval than a circle and is clashes with Neptune's orbit. 6 | P a g e
Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
Kepler 22b: New Earth-‐like exoplanet. As far as scientists know, Kepler 22b has a heat insulating atmosphere, is a terrestrial planet, is in the Goldilocks zone, has a moon similar size to that of Earth's has a stabilized orbit, and has a sun like ours. Existence of water is still unknown. Of all of these planets, Mars and Kepler 22b are most likely to be able to support human life. But Kepler 22b is 600 light years away, how are we going to get there? The answer? With the current technology, we can't. So now we're looking at Mars. Even though Mars has potential to support life, it is still missing some key components. Let's look into my third question: What are the challenges facing Mars One to provide an environmental system to support human life to and on Mars? • Mars is very cold, the coldest temperature is -‐125°C and the warmest temperature is 20°C. Heating will be needed. • 95% of mars' atmosphere is carbon dioxide. 1.9% argon. 1.9% nitrogen but still has traces of free-‐ flowing oxygen. A way to maintain oxygen and make sure there is enough for everyone. • A small mistake or accident can result in large failure, injury or death. • Every system (and its backup) must function without fail or human life is at risk. From <http://www.mars-‐one.com/mission/risks-‐and-‐challenges> • Mars One will need to supply the space shuttle with 10 months' worth of food and water plus extra for Mars. • A way to build oxygen-‐plenty supplied houses the astronauts get to Mars. • Power supply for rocket and houses. • Mars one will need to keep contact with the crew on Mars. • A way to restock food, water, and oxygen every so often on Mars. • A spacecraft which is capable of travelling to Mars as soon as it gets back from Mars many, many times. • 2.5t of food are needed. Just in case you don't know what Mars One is, Mars One is a one way mission to Mars to develop the first human colony.
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Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
Here's a fun fact for you: Did you know? The risk of space flight is equal to the risk of climbing Mt. Everest. But why do we even NEED to develop a human colony on Mars? If you want to know, read on! What are the Pros and Cons of moving to Mars? Pros: • If Earth is overpopulated, we can divide the population between the two planets. • Materials on Mars can be new sources of power, food, technology etc. • To ensure humans don't go extinct if Earth is destroyed • There might be life on Mars • So we can inspire future humans to explore further. http://www.businessinsider.com.au/5-‐undeniable-‐ reasons-‐why-‐humans-‐should-‐go-‐to-‐mars-‐2015-‐4 • We could find out more about the creation of Earth. http://www.mars-‐one.com/faq/mission-‐to-‐ mars/why-‐should-‐we-‐go-‐to-‐mars Cons: • Humans can't live freely without technology without dying because of the freezing temperatures and extreme weather conditions. • Resources will have to be sent to Mars often when Earth doesn't even have enough. • Could cause boringness and confusion because the sky is the same color as the ground and you will always be looking at the same color landscape. http://www.science20.com/robert_inventor/blog/ten_reasons_not_to_live_on_mars_great_place_to_e xplore-‐118531
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Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
In conclusion, I think I’ve learnt A LOT of new knowledge about space travel that I didn’t know before. I also think Mars One will be successful in establishing a human colony and exploring Mars because of their organized planning, thinking and technology. My highlight was going to the Carter Observatory and trying astronaut ice-‐cream and watching ‘We Are Aliens’. I really feel that my time-‐management skills and commitment was really put to the test in order to get everything done in time and I really enjoyed this investigation. I was just thinking… I want to go to Mars! Bibliography: Websites http://www.mars-‐one.com/mission/risks-‐and-‐challenges http://www.businessinsider.com.au/5-‐undeniable-‐reasons-‐why-‐humans-‐should-‐go-‐to-‐mars-‐2015-‐4 http://www.mars-‐one.com/faq/mission-‐to-‐mars/why-‐should-‐we-‐go-‐to-‐mars http://www.science20.com/robert_inventor/blog/ten_reasons_not_to_live_on_mars_great_place_to_e xplore-‐118531 http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-‐4/home/F_Living_in_Space.html http://www.mars-‐one.com/news/press-‐releases/independent-‐surface-‐habitat-‐eclss-‐concept-‐design-‐ assessment-‐paragon 9 | P a g e
Iris Ma: Colonization of outer space offers opportunities and poses challenges to human survival -‐ Environmental conditions essential to support human life
http://www.mars-‐one.com/ http://www.paragonsdc.com/#thermal-‐control http://www.kiwispace.org.nz/view/36733036/welcome-‐to-‐new-‐zealand-‐sofia-‐haritina-‐mogosanu-‐ kiwispace-‐foundation
http://winteryknight.com/2009/04/02/what-‐conditions-‐are-‐needed-‐to-‐create-‐a-‐habitable-‐planet/> http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/66282218/New-‐Zealand-‐migrant-‐in-‐Mars-‐mission-‐countdown
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/70782079/Man-‐supports-‐his-‐wife-‐in-‐volunteering-‐for-‐one-‐way-‐space-‐ mission
http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/9007454/Mars-one-way-a-worthy-sacrifice http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/10163149/On-a-one-way-mission-to-Mars http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10165007/No-fears-over-no-return http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/8619513/Human-mission-to-Mars-no-longer-just-a-dream
People and Places Haritana (Astronaut) Carter Observatory
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Planetarium – ‘We Are Aliens’