NASA asks: What would you take to Mars?

Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - 05:14 YT&Twebzine

What would you take if you were headed for Mars? NASA wants to know. Illustration: Artist's concept.

Remember the old question: "If you were going to a deserted island, which three books would you take?" Well, NASA has a similar dilemma, but this time they’re packing for Mars.

     Of course, astronauts don't have to worry about books. As long as their computers are working, they can download the latest best-seller.
   But this is a long trip – 140 million miles from the home planet, to be precise, and NASA is seriously pondering what astronauts should take along for the ride.
   This week,the space agency asked for detailed ideas from the public – anyone and everyone – not just for the trip but for “developing the elements of space pioneering necessary to establish a continuous human presence on the red planet,” according to a news release.
     This is not just an academic exercise, by the way. NASA promises $5,000 awards to three contestants who come up with something good.
       So with that as a goal, the question now is: If you were going to start a colony on a deserted planet with a thin atmosphere, ferocious wind storms and no toilets, what would you take? NASA wants details.
       This could include the obvious necessities (breathable air, drinkable water, medicine, a place to live, opportunities to socialize, etc.) But NASA also wants participants to think out of the box. The news release specifically calls for “one or more Mars surface systems” or operations needed to achieve a goal. Contestants should think along the lines of something that is “technically achievable,” economical and can be maintained on Mars with little support from Earth.
       NASA officials routinely discuss their efforts to travel to Mars sometime in the 2030s, although they are still ironing out the logistics. Robotic missions have studied the geology and atmosphere of the red planet. In addition, researchers have been developing an “exploration class” space launch system capable of taking astronauts into deep space.
       For more information about the challenge, visit NASA’s website.

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