Exploring the Wonders of Physics

The dawn of the Space Age sparked our interest in deep space exploration. Ever since the launch of Sputnik-I, humans and multiple space research organizations have sent countless unmanned missions towards the depths of our solar system. Humans have also exploited resources present on this planet. The consumption of excessive fossil fuels and other non-renewable…

The dawn of the Space Age sparked our interest in deep space exploration. Ever since the launch of Sputnik-I, humans and multiple space research organizations have sent countless unmanned missions towards the depths of our solar system. Humans have also exploited resources present on this planet. The consumption of excessive fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources is responsible for the degradation of earth, the only planet in our solar system that lies in the habitable zone. Global warming and climate change will render our world inhospitable unless we make an effort to be more sustainable. Hence, the possibility of a worldwide catastrophe is also another reason why researchers are tirelessly working towards sending manned missions to mars and Venus. (“Societal Impact of the Space Age”)

Mars and Venus are our two neighboring planets. Both the planets are feasible candidates for manned and unmanned missions alike. In this essay, I will be elaborating on the many advantages that the colonization of mars offers over Venus. If we were to critically analyze any planet that seems to be habitable, we would have to search for certain key elements. In the scientific community, a commonly used acronym for these elements is CHNOPS-Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulphur. These elements are present in every human being and essential for our sustenance on other planets. Unfortunately, both Venus and Mars lack these elements in their purest form even though they can be artificially synthesized. Both these planets are not situated in the habitable zone too as they are characterized by extreme climatic fluctuations.

Venus might be popularly be termed as earth’s twin but portrays no similarity to earth-like plate tectonics. Venus is littered with numerous volcanoes due to which surface temperatures can rise to 463C. The extreme volcanic eruptions accompanied by an atmospheric pressure of 90 bars(a unit of pressure) render the surface of Venus inhospitable. The atmospheric pressure can pulverize the human body to smithereens. Probes and other unmanned missions sent by NASA were crushed too before reaching the surface due to extremely hot temperatures and the exertion of tremendous amounts of pressure. 

(“Overview | Venus – NASA Solar System Exploration”)

Thick yellowish clouds of sulfur and carbon dioxide shrouding Venus also cause the planet to act as a giant greenhouse. Due to the multitude of layers of the atmosphere, the radiation(sunlight) that is incident on the planet cannot escape after it reflects from the surface, causing a deadly phenomenon called the runaway greenhouse effect. Albeit being termed as the hottest planet in our solar system, research data from the pioneer missions sent by NASA in the 1980s reveal that Venus must have harbored vast oceans in the distant past. The oceans eventually dried up due to their proximity to the sun and accumulating layers of greenhouse gases to its atmosphere. It is crucial to note here that the earth might also suffer the same fate as Venus if we continue to adulterate it.

Venus also holds certain advantages over mars. The perihelion(shortest distance of a planet to the sun) of Venus is shorter than that of mars. The round trip to Venus would be 30-50% shorter than that to Mars. Acceleration due to gravity experienced on Venus is similar to that of the earth as both are Dimensionally proportional. Astronauts might suffer serious bone atrophy on Mars after a long trip in micro gravity. It is possible to reduce serious bone loss by following a strict diet and exercising regularly. The Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) developed by NASA aids the astronauts to maintain their musculoskeletal system through high resistive workouts. (“Bone and Muscle Loss in Microgravity”) 

NASA had previously worked on a project(HAVOC-High Altitude Venus Operational Concept) to send airships to Venus. The concept of sending airships to the atmosphere of Venus is not fully-proof as it poses a unique set of challenges. As the atmosphere is composed of sulfur too, the highly acidic and inflammable gas can corrode the vehicle. Moreover, aerocapture maneuvers(inflating the airship on Venus) pose certain difficulties too. (“A way to explore Venus”) 

Compared to the terrain of Venus, the Martian terrain is quite barren, characterized by mountain ranges and valleys, igneous depositories, and craters. Its atmospheric composition is mostly carbon dioxide accompanied by temperatures that constantly dip below 0C. Compared to Venus, surface analysis of Mars shows that the planet still retains its Polar Layered Deposits(PLDs). In other words, Mars contains water in its polar ice caps albeit in an impure solid form. Data collection from the perseverance rover is also evidence of the possible existence of prehistoric life on mars millions of years ago. The existence of a gigantic northern ocean on Mars millions of years ago is also theorized. Hence, in-situ resources are readily available on mars in a non-consumable form but can be utilized through several chemical processes

A crucial question now arises: How do we extract the in-situ resources present on the planet to construct sustainable life-support systems? In-Situ Resource Utilization(ISRU) refers to the utilization and the generation of the consumable resources present on any planetary body from raw materials. Our four basic needs(oxygen, water, shelter, and food) should be catered to on Mars. In contrast to Venus, the atmosphere surrounding Mars is extremely thin as the estimated mean value of oxygen is close to 0.17%. Researchers at NASA are working with new technologies that will be able to supply humans with the basic requirements on the martian terrain. Oxygen(di-molecular gas at room temperatures) on Mars can neither be collected from the atmosphere nor be produced on a mass scale currently. Researchers at NASA had sent the perseverance rover(2020) to mars with an oxygen generator (MOXIE- Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment). The car battery-sized generator works on the principle of electrochemical dissociation of carbon dioxide. (“Cabbage and McCarthy”) 

MOXIE collects carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and splits it into oxygen and carbon monoxide whilst pumping the oxygen back into the Martian atmosphere.MOXIE is still in its early stages of development and may still take many years for the mass production of oxygen to the colonies on Mars. (“Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE)”) 

The usage of oxygen can be used to produce water at Mars although the process is highly volatile. The polar ice caps are a source of impure water in the solid form which can be utilized upon melting and purification. Another source for water can be poly-hydrated sulfur deposits but the yield of water from this material is questionable.

One could argue that the most important commodity that would need to be generated and distributed over a large area would be electricity. Scientists have puzzled over the generation of electric power on Mars. One of the feasible options would be through solar energy from sunlight collected by an array of solar panels. These solar panels need to be cleaned constantly due to the ever-present dust storms. Other feasible alternatives include photovoltaic cells and radioisotope power towers which work on the principle of decay of radioisotopes. Thorium, a radioactive element present on the Martian surface can be utilized to our advantage. The heat energy released by its constant decay can be converted to electrical energy over time by the usage of thermocouple(a device used to convert heat into electricity) arrays.

To protect oneself from the dynamic effects of weather change, shelters that are erected must be sturdy and should withstand freezing temperatures. Many research papers discuss the usage of martian soil itself as a viable construction material for temporary settlements. Martian concrete is rich in iron salts and perchlorates making it dense and reusable too owing to Mars’ low gravity. The usage of martian soil for infrastructure is an idea still being debated on but NASA plans shelters that are primarily constructed from carbon fiber and fiberglass, which provide heavy thermal insulation and protection against dust particles. These shelters would cater to all the astronauts’ needs as they would have an inbuilt oxygen generator and a greenhouse for food crops to grow. (“Souza and Rezende”)

Obtaining food on Mars is of paramount importance. The soil on Mars is mainly red soil that is characterized by the presence of iron oxide and many perchlorates (salts of chlorine). As it is igneous in nature, it is unsuitable for the growth of food crops. A system of parameters such as the supply of water, control of temperatures, the provision of fertilizers, etc. Currently, research is directed towards the creation of a closed and controlled environment, which is supported by circular aquaponic and aeroponic systems. NASA is currently experimenting on the growth of various food crops at the ISS(International Space station). Since the growth of plants on soil is not feasible, bio habitat greenhouses can be set up inside the colonies that can support various crops such as potatoes, carrots, and corn. Viable plant tissue cultures can be stored from the earth in cryogenic chambers. 

(“Souza and Rezende”)

This essay provides a broad structural framework for the advantages that Mars carries over Venus and how we can utilize the in-situ resources such as water, minerals, and other consumables. With the development of human technology, all the processes of in-situ extraction will become simpler over time. In another few thousand years, terra-formation will also become possible.

Terra-formation of any planet mimics the conditions(temperature, amount of oxygen, water, etc.) on earth. The technology to reform an entire planet is beyond our capabilities at the present. The existence of colonies on Mars is highly possible in the future.

References:

1.“Bone and Muscle Loss in Microgravity.” NASA, 21 January 2020, https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/station-science-101/bone-muscle-loss-in-microgravity/. Accessed 13 December 2021.

2. Cabbage, Michael, and Leslie McCarthy. “Venus May Once Have Been Habitable.” NASA, 11 August 2016, https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2016/nasa-climate-modeling-suggests-venus-may-have-been-habitable. Accessed 12 December 2021.

3.“Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE).” NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/spacecraft/instruments/moxie/. Accessed 14 December 2021.

4. NASA. “Societal Impact of the Space Age.” Why We Explore, NASA, 4 4 2005, https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/whyweexplore/Why_We_09.html. Accessed 11 12 2021.

5.“Overview | Venus – NASA Solar System Exploration.” NASA Solar System Exploration, https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/venus/overview/. Accessed 11 December 2021.

6.“Societal Impact of the Space Age.” NASA, 22 May 2011, https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/whyweexplore/Why_We_09.html. Accessed 11 December 2021.

7. Souza, Davi Alves, and Julio F. Rezende. “Agriculture in Mars: Habitat Marte findings.” International astronomy congress, no. 12-14, 2020. Academia.edu, https://www.academia.edu/44349117/Agriculture_in_Mars_Habitat_Marte_findings. Accessed 13 12 2021.

8.“A way to explore Venus.” YouTube, 10 October 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0az7DEwG68A&t=5s. Accessed 14 December 2021.