Logistical problems on the journey to the Red Planet

First (firm) steps  President Bush January, Promised that America will take steps toward a human mission to Mars.January, Promised that America will take steps toward a human mission to Mars.  NASA estimates put the cost anywhere between 50 – 400 billion

Great Undertaking  It will be our greatest scientific / engineering undertaking ever  There will be casualties  No ship can make it right now Especially from MarsEspecially from Mars

Distance problems 1500 – 2000x farther away than the Moon Short hop vs. Long stay 18 months on surface

Packin’ on the pounds!  All the “stuff” needed weighs more than the ISS  11,000 L H2O  20 metric tons dehydrated food  520,000 kilo. of supplies

Uh, Rockets?  No single rocket can get all our junk there.  We’ll need to use Ares rockets to get it into LEO, perhaps 10 or more. Ares V can put 290,000 Lbs. into LEO 1,200,000 kilos solid fuel to get off the pad

Baby Steps  Assemble rocket (Orion) in LEO…  Then go to Moon by 2025 and build a permanent settlement for training.

“You mean this sucker is nuclear?”  Mars rocket will almost have to be nuclear. 12 months travel time12 months travel time Chemical is too heavy / lb of thrustChemical is too heavy / lb of thrust

“I gotta’ get outta’ this place!”  Greatest risk of long distance travel is cabin fever Lots of stuff still happens on EarthLots of stuff still happens on Earth Fights with cabin matesFights with cabin mates Capsule size of small apartmentCapsule size of small apartment ExerciseExercise BoredomBoredom SexSex Scientific ExperimentsScientific Experiments Periods of intense activityPeriods of intense activity

“I gotta’ get outta’ this place!”  Jerry Linenger (Born in Eastpointe, Mi!) spent 5 months aboard MIR Lost 65% of strengthLost 65% of strength Lost 13-14% of bone mass in strength bearing areasLost 13-14% of bone mass in strength bearing areas

Finally!  After dangerous landing, crews would find supply ships already there  Crews would need to set up permanent settlement to perform experiments, and protect them from radiation and temperature extremes for 18 months on planet

D’oh!  Astronauts might have to deal with a long quarantine time when they get back Protect Earth from martian bugsProtect Earth from martian bugs Protect Astronauts from Earth bugsProtect Astronauts from Earth bugs