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The exploration of Mars has
long been considered as a major goal in the exploration of the Solar System.At
the beginning of the 20th century it was believed that intelligent life existed
on Mars ,while until 1960 the possibility of plant life was still considered
[1].However,detailed information from the Mariner 9 orbiter and the two Viking
Landers[2] that landed on Mars in 1976 ,ruled out the possibility of any life on
Mars,but created the perspective for future human settlement of the Red
Planet,as it came to be known.
Mars is the most Earth-like planet and the best candidate for the
first human settlement off Earth.Information from the Vikings[3] reveals that
Mars is a cold,dry planet with extreme temperatures and a thin atmosphere.The
terrain is rough and often untraversable.However,certain features are most
encouraging.From the thin atmosphere nitrogen,argon and water vapour can be
extracted,which are enough to prepare breathable air and water.Water can also be
found in the soil and at the polar caps in the form of ice [4].Wind and the sun
are plausible sources of power. Furthermore,extracts from the atmosphere and the
soil can be used to produce rocket propellants, fertilizer and other useful
compounds and feedstocks[3]. More
Further exploration needs to be done in order to obtain a better insight to
the Martian environment.Unfortunately,a manned mission is out of the question
for the time being for several reasons.A trip to Mars would require almost 2
years away from Earth,which creates a problem of supply of consumables.Then,the
physical factors still need to be thoroughly investigated.The extreme
temperatures(reaching -100 degrees centigrade) and the need to produce
breathable air still present problems.An unmanned mission is therefore a
necessary precursor to a piloted flight to Mars. |
