THE JOURNEY TO MARS

THE JOURNEY TO MARS
What will it take to put the first astronaut on Mars?
It’s tougher than you think. Here are 5 key hurdles between us and the Red Planet.
THE JOURNEY TO MARS IS NOT A STRAIGHT SHOT
ONE EXAMPLE OF A MARS TRAJECTORY
ILES
M
0
MARS
DEPARTURE
32
5,
0
0
,
0
0
0
MARS
ARRIVAL
EARTH
DEPARTURE
EARTH
RETURN
TRAVEL TIME:
9 MONTHS THERE AND 9 MONTHS BACK
RADIATION PROTECTION
Deep space radiation can seriously harm astronauts
and damage critical equipment. Mars-bound spacecraft
will need upgraded radiation protection to safeguard crew.
RADIATION EXPOSURE:
3 DAYS ON MARS =
1 YEAR ON EARTH
KEEPING ASTRONAUTS HEALTHY AND SAFE
Deep space vehicles need
vital systems that protect
crew from the effects of
long-distance space travel.
BLURRED
VISION AND
CATARACTS
LOSS OF
MUSCLE
MASS
LOSS OF
BONE
STRENGTH
EARTH INDEPENDENT
250,000,000
MILES AT
FARTHEST POINT
FROM EARTH
BACKUPS NEED BACKUPS
If one system fails, you need multiple,
dissimilar backup systems
SPACECRAFT WEIGHT
Even with all your equipment and supplies, you must
still be light enough to escape Earth’s gravitational pull
ADVANCED SYSTEMS
LIFE SUPPORT
Long-duration missions
require advanced recycling
and hygiene systems
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COMMUNICATION
Anywhere from 4 to 21 minute
time delay with ground control
THERMAL PROTECTION
Protect from extreme
environments ranging from
-300°F to 5000°F