The main problem of landing on Mars.

It takes about 180 days for astronauts to travel to Mars. By July 23rd, 2009, NASA had proposed two propulsion schemes-nuclear thermal rocket and chemical fuel engine. The basic design of a nuclear thermal rocket originated in the 1960s and 1970s, which uses nuclear reaction to overheat gas and then ejects it from a nozzle to generate propulsion. Drake said: "This is a high-performance aircraft, and we think it is very safe. Although it uses a nuclear power system, it will not produce radioactive materials when it is launched. The ideal chemical fuel engine is very similar to the space shuttle, using liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. This is a very mature technology, but it is not as efficient as a nuclear thermal rocket. "

In order to reach the surface of Mars, NASA designed a pneumatic lander with a propeller to help land. This plane is likely to combine methane and liquid oxygen as fuel to complete the six-month journey of carrying astronauts back to Earth. Drake said: "Oxygen exists in carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere of Mars, so astronauts can extract oxygen on Mars."

Before the mission team reaches the surface of Mars, NASA will plan to send as many goods and equipment as possible. Drake said: "Before astronauts arrive on Mars, they must be prepared to survive on the surface of Mars. Landing on Mars is different from landing on the moon. Astronauts can return to Earth at any time on the moon. Once astronauts arrive on Mars, they need to be prepared to survive for several years. " How to get to Mars

It takes about 180 days for astronauts to travel to Mars. So far, NASA has put forward two propulsion schemes-nuclear thermal rocket and chemical fuel engine. The basic design of a nuclear thermal rocket originated in the 1960s and 1970s, which uses nuclear reaction to overheat gas and then ejects it from a nozzle to generate propulsion. Drake said: "This is a high-performance aircraft, and we think it is very safe. Although it uses a nuclear power system, it will not produce radioactive materials when it is launched. The ideal chemical fuel engine is very similar to the space shuttle, using liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. This is a very mature technology, but it is not as efficient as a nuclear thermal rocket. "

Jonathan Amos, a science reporter from the BBC, thinks that the Mars project of the "Mars One" research institute in the Netherlands has failed to fully realize the danger of Mars radiation, and points out that "if there is not enough solid materials to build settlements, volunteers will die of cancer within one year".

Chris Welch, director of the master program of International Space University, once said: "Even without considering the potential shortage of funds and long-term reliability of this plan, Mars No.1 Institute has not given enough and detailed plans to support its grand goals."

Richard garriott, a space traveler, commented: "Many people have interesting and feasible plans, but only a few people can raise enough funds to implement and execute them."

Robert Zublin, an advocate of manned Mars exploration, said: "I don't think business plans can realize the ambition of establishing human settlements on Mars. Maybe the business model can raise some money, but I don't think businessmen who are really interested in making money will invest in this risky project. "

In addition, after landing on Mars, the difficulties that volunteers will face include: barren Martian land full of craters, Martian air with carbon dioxide accounting for 95%, and huge temperature difference from 35℃ to-135℃. Strong radiation can be fatal.

In 2024, the first astronauts will set off for Mars. They will be put into Earth orbit by several rockets and then enter Mars orbit. After about seven months of space travel, they are expected to reach Mars in 2025. The project is expected to use the "heavy falcon" new launch vehicle developed by the American private space company "Space X".

Cass, a psychological counselor, said that there will be many problems on Mars, such as strong radiation, which can easily lead to death. If volunteers go out to avoid radiation at night after landing on Mars, the temperature is very cold, at least-100 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius.

There is also a problem of time delay. It takes about 20~30 minutes for the signal to reach Mars and 20~30 minutes to return to Earth, so it is very difficult to communicate with the Earth. Imagine that we say hello on earth and wait for an hour to get a reply. In addition, according to the forecast of August 28th, 20 14, it will take two years for the next batch of people to arrive and provide supplies after they are sent to Mars. During these two years, they didn't help anything. Psychologically speaking, there are only four people on Mars. Ideally, they may get along, but of course, there may be conflicts.

Spending two and a half years in the harsh environment of space is undoubtedly a great challenge for Mars surveyors. Drake said: "At present, Russia is conducting a test, which is expected to provide great help for the scientific mission of human behavior to Mars. Focusing on surveys in other remote and harsh environments on earth, such as Antarctica and submarine missions, helps how to choose astronauts from human behavior characteristics. "

During their stay on the surface of Mars, astronauts will face a key challenge-radiation damage from storms in the form of high-energy particles from the sun. Drake said: "The best radiation protection substances are hydrogen and oxygen, which need to be produced on the surface of Mars." On the surface of Mars, NASA foresees that equipment can be deployed to produce water before astronauts arrive, and these equipment can also be used as a refuge for astronauts to stay on Mars. During the round trip, the plane can also carry food and water for NASA to survive for a while. At the same time, the aircraft can also be temporarily used as a refuge for astronauts to avoid deadly radiation. The Dutch "Mars-1" research institute said that applicants do not have to have received militarization training, have space flight experience or have the knowledge level of scientists. However, they must meet the following criteria:

At least 18 years old, with the purpose and willingness to establish and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships, with the ability of self-reflection and trustworthy quality. Applicants must have strong adaptability, curiosity, creativity and adaptability. The "Mars One" Institute does not require applicants to have a special skill background. After being selected, volunteers will receive at least 8 years of training and learn all the skills needed to survive on Mars. Including "indomitable spirit", "good judgment", obeying the rules of the game, being healthy enough, not taking drugs, speaking English and so on.

In 20 13, the "2024 Mars Landing Plan" was officially launched, and applications for immigration from Mars were accepted. The only requirement for applicants is that they must be at least 18 years old, and the deadline for registration is 20 13 at the end of August, with as many as 200,000 applicants. After screening, "Mars-1" notified the primary winner on February 30th, 20th13rd.

20 14 65438+200410.2 It was announced that 1058 people were selected from 200,000 applicants to participate in the second stage screening. Buss Lansdorp, a Dutch venture capitalist who founded Mars-1, said that to be a "Mars ambassador for mankind", one must have good physical and psychological conditions. "We screened out 200,000 applicants, and we think they are physically and psychologically suitable to be ambassadors to Mars. But some people obviously don't take this task very seriously, and even several candidates are naked in the film. " The 200,000 applicants came from 107 countries. Among the 1058 people who passed the primary election, there were 297 Americans, 75 Canadians, 62 Indians and 52 Russians. Among the primary candidates, 55% are men and 45% are women, all of whom are quite young. There are 357 under the age of 25, 465 under the age of 35, 438+05, and only 26 over the age of 56. Of the 1058 people who passed the primary election, 24 will remain after further elimination. They are expected to go to Mars in 2024. It is worth mentioning that there is no return ticket for this trip to Mars, which can be said to be "there is no return". In other words, these 24 "strong men of the earth" will become permanent immigrants who will die of old age on Mars, because they all use "one-way tickets".

The second stage screening will be conducted on 20 14 and 20 15, and the training subjects include strict simulated survival training of Mars, in which the physical and emotional management ability of the trainees will be the focus of assessment. The 24 winners will be launched in six batches in 2024, with four people in each batch, flying to Mars, which is 55 million kilometers away from the Earth, with thin air, unsuitable for breathing and an average temperature below zero degrees Celsius. The whole journey is expected to be six to seven months.

"Mars 1" has signed a contract with the space department of Lockheed Martin, an American aircraft company, to build a landing module, and the test flight is scheduled to start on 20 18. It is estimated that the cost of this plan to immigrate to Mars needs at least 6 million dollars, and the funds are still insufficient. So the organizers came up with other ways to raise funds, including launching a reality show with the training and selection selected in the second stage, and selling the right of TV transmission. As for who can go to Mars and who has to stay on Earth, it's up to the audience.