Mars habitat

[2][3] Mars habitats would have to contend with surface conditions that include almost no oxygen in the air, extreme cold, low pressure, and high radiation.

[6] While the gravity on Mars is lower than that on Earth, there are stronger solar radiation and temperature cycles, and high internal forces needed for pressurized habitats to contain air.

One helpful aspect is the Mars atmosphere, which allows for aerobraking, meaning less need for using propellant to slow a craft for safe landing.

During the late 1960s, the United States produced the Saturn V rocket, which was capable of launching enough mass into orbit required for a single-launch trip holding a crew of three to the surface of the Moon and back again.

In 2010 the Space Launch System, or growth variants therefore, is envisioned as having the payload capacity and qualities needed for human Mars missions, utilizing the Orion capsule.

[11] The idea of living in lava tubes has been suggested for their potential to provide increased protection from radiation, temperature fluctuation, Martian sunlight, etc.

[16] The Mars habitat would have to support the conditions of these food sources, possibly incorporating elements from greenhouse design or farming.

Historically, space missions tend to have a non-growing food supply eating out of set amount of rations like Skylab, replenished with resupply from Earth.

One concern on Mars is the effect of the fine dust of the Martian soil working its way into the living quarters or devices.

[21] While one carbon dioxide scrubber filters the astronaut's air, the other can vent scrubbed CO2 to the Mars atmosphere, once that process is completed another one can be used, and the one that was used can take a break.

[7] This has been estimated at over 2,000 pounds per square foot (9,800 kg/m2) for a pressurized habitat on the surface of Mars, which is radically increased compared to Earth structures.

[7] A closer comparison can be made to crewed high-altitude aircraft, which must withstand forces of 1,100 to 1,400 pounds per square foot (5,400 to 6,800 kg/m2) when at altitude.

[7] At about 150 thousand feet of altitude (28 miles (45 km)) on Earth, the atmospheric pressure starts to be equivalent to the surface of Mars.

The situation would be similar to the International Space Station, where individuals receive an unusually high amount of radiation for a short duration and then leave.

Long term permanent habitats require much more volume (i.e.:greenhouse) and thick shielding to minimize the annual dose of radiation received.

Possibilities include covering structures with ice or soil, excavating subterranean spaces or sealing the ends of an existing lava tube.

[19] Materials testing has recently been done to explore spacesuits and "storm shelters" for protection from Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GRC) and Solar Particle Events (SPE's) during launch, transit, and habitation upon Mars.

[19] For very small crews its difficult to treat a wide range issues with advanced care, whereas with a team with an overall size of 12–20 on Mars there could be multiple doctors and nurses, in addition to EMT-level certifications.

[33] One concern is to stop what would otherwise be a minor injury from becoming life-threatening due to restrictions on the amount of medical equipment, training, and the time-delay in communication with Earth.

[46] One design planned an output of 40 kilowatts; nuclear power fission is independent of sunlight reaching the surface of Mars, which can be affected by dust storms.

[51] The effects of Martian surface dust on solar cells was studied in the 1990s by the Materials Adherence Experiment on Mars Pathfinder.

This combination was called a Mars Excursion Module, and also typically featured other components such as basic rover and science equipment.

[5] On the other hand, the issue of the difficulty of sending digging robots that must construct the habitat versus landing capsules on the surface was also noted.

"[55] In early 2015 NASA outlined a conceptual plan for a three stage Mars habitat design and construction award program.

[64] It has a double-walled spherical design filled with water to both keep the higher pressure of Mars habitat in but help protect against radiation.

[70] An example of this was the original mission of Biosphere 2, which was meant to test closed ecological systems to support and maintain human life in outer space.

[75] The DLR found that some lichen and bacteria could survive in simulated Martian conditions, including air composition, pressure, and solar radiation spectrum.

[77] That bacteria is known to survive in extremely cold and dry conditions on Earth, so might provide a basis for bioengineering Mars into a more habitable place.

[77] As the bacteria reproduces the dead ones would create an organic layer in the regolith potentially paving the way for more advanced life.

[81] Plants noted for colonizing the barren landscape in the aftermath of the Mt Saint Helen's eruption included Asteraceae and Epilobium, and especially Lupinus lepidus for its (symbiotic) ability to fix its own nitrogen.

NASA artwork of a potential Mars habitat in conjunction with other surface elements on Mars
Various components of the Mars Outpost proposal. (M. Dowman, 1989) [ 1 ]
1990s era NASA design featuring 'spam can' type habitat landers. The downside may be minimal shielding for the crew, and two ideas are to use Mars materials, such as ice, to increase shielding, and another is to move underground, perhaps caves
The unique design of this 1970 tower structure at Expo '70 in Japan highlights the alternative forms that structures in new environments might take
Solar54 - Argentina
Solar54 - Argentina
Orion spacecraft
Bubbles of gas in a soft drink (soda pop)
People inside a clear diving bell on Earth
Mars habitats with astronauts
A 2007 NASA design for mobile habitat on the move, such as for a circumnavigation of the planet
A vision for habitats published by NASA from CASE FOR MARS from the 1980s, featuring the re-use of landing vehicles, in-situ soil use for enhanced radiation shielding, and green houses. A bay for a Mars rover is also visible.
A human landing on Mars would necessitate different levels of support for habitation
Library Tower of Biosphere 2 , an Earth analog space habitat tested in the 1990s
Fresh impact craters detected in the early 2000s by Mars satellites
Space art illustrating a group approaching the Viking 2 lander probe, which were supported by RTG power
NASA vision for the first Humans On Mars
(Artist Concept; 2019)
NASA six-legged mobile habitat module (TRI-ATHLETE)
Habitat Demonstration Unit of the Desert Research and Technology Studies
Mars Ice Home design for a Mars base [ 66 ] (NASA LaRC / Clouds AO / SEArch+, 2016)
Biosphere 2 tested a closed-loop greenhouse and accommodation in the early 1990s
2015 NASA illustration of plants growing in a Mars base.
Interior of the ESO Hotel which has been called a "boarding house on Mars", because the desert surroundings are Mars-like; it houses observatory staff at an observatory in the high Chilean desert. [ 80 ]
Pine trees have been suggested, in combination with other techniques for creating more hospitable atmosphere on Mars. [ 83 ]
A concept for a combined surface habitat and ascent vehicle from the 1990s era Design Reference Mission 3.0 -based mission, that integrated in-situ resources production in this case for propellant