How Inhabitable Is Mars? We'll Know Soon Enough !

Aug 17, 2012

by JSMaresca
posted in Supercontents

Rating:

NASA's "Curiosity" rover lands on a Marsian mountain with plans for a two year
research effort on the planet. A rocket-powered sky crane lowered "Curiosity"
to the surface with a de-celeration from 13,000 MPH to zero within the planned
7 minute time frame.

The ultimate objective of the mission is to determine whether or not Mars
is or ever was suitable for hosting microbial life forms. 1) The cells of
prokaryotes and eukaryotes have two common characteristics. That is,
both have a plasma membrane and cytoplasma.

Prokaryotes have a simpler construction while the eukaryotes contain a nucleus.
Scientists would be looking initially for prokaryotes in the form of bacteria and
cyanobacteria; such as, blue green algae. Next in the life chain are
the eukaryotes consisting of protozoa, fungi, plants and lastly animals.

The Marsian atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide, nearly 3% oxygen 2% argon ,
with trace quantities of oxygen, carbon monoxide, water vapor and ozone.
The density of Mars is about 25-30 % less than planet Earth.

For Mars to sustain life-particularly human life, scientists would be required
to construct a geodome concept with extensive tree planting to maintain a
viable oxygen/CO2 cycle together with existing water harnessed from the polar
caps. Sunlight would be problematic because the planet gets approximately
half of the natural sunlight of earth.

NASA believes that the volume of water ice in the south polar ice cap,
if melted, would cover the entire planet surface at a depth of 10m.
If this volume of water is determined to be present on Mars, then the next
step would be to harness the water for purposes of sustaining
life in the not too distant future. In addition, the atmosphere of Mars is less
dense. As a result, there will be less stress on human internal organs.

Another important task for NASA and its rover is to monitor the daily weather patterns
on Mars and develop good data on the atmospheric conditions on the planet.
Next, Nasa needs to measure wind shear and other atmospheric effects.
Another important task is the monitoring of water vapor and dust on the
planet. Enhanced phase diagrams need to be constructed for thermodynamic
properties relating to solids, liquids, gases and vapors. With a virtual power
source like fusion, Mars can become an important interplanetary manufacturing
center.

1. http://www.nasa.gov/

How Inhabitable Is Mars? We'll Know Soon Enough !

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Madpenguin August 17, 2012

If we ever did make another planet our home, I hope mankind would at least try to take better care of it.

JSMaresca August 18, 2012

I agree wholeheartedly!

woopak_the_thrill August 19, 2012

I'd like to dream that Jupiter may be a nice planet with giants :)

JSMaresca August 19, 2012

We'll know some time after 2100. Maybe sooner- depending upon how many wars we have during this century.

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Dr Joseph S Maresca (JSMaresca)
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Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA, CISA PhD-Ross College Major- Accounting, Minor- Computer Applications Information Systems MBA-New York University … more

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