For years, explorers always aimed to discover more and push beyond their limits to go where no man has gone before. With each discovery, there came new possibilities. Now that humans were able to go into space and set foot on the Moon, there is a new goal on the horizon: Mars.
Mars shares many of the same characteristics as Earth; some even call it a sister planet. Scientists are finding ways to get there and looking at how to make an otherwise unforgiving location habitable. Here's what they have discovered so far, and what they're going to prepare for the upcoming voyage.
NASA Mars 2020 Rover's Heat Shield
One of the most significant challenges of going to Mars is surviving the searing conditions during arrival. Lockheed Martin developed a thermal protection shield using a Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA). The reinforced structure will serve as a thermal protection system to protect the Mars 2020 rover.
High-Temperature Composite Resin
Composite resin isn't limited to electrical industries and construction buildings. FRE Composites phenolic states that phenolic resin is a non-metallic corrosion-resistant, non-toxic conduit system that can withstand high temperatures installations. These qualities make PICA the perfect candidate for aerospace structures and a composite aeroshell for the Mars 200 rover.
Mars Has Auroras, Too
Nasa has discovered evidence of an aurora present on Mars. Earth has auroras too, also known as the Northern or Southern Lights near the poles. Unlike the beautiful show that lights up our night sky, the ones on Mars cannot be detected by the naked eye - it can only be seen with Imaging UltraViolet Spectrograph (IUVS).
What Does It Mean?
Experts theorize that the aurora is hinting that Mars experienced the extreme climate and atmospheric changes that caused it to become as cold, dry, and uninhabitable as it is today. Since the proton aurora is generated indirectly by hydrogen being lost into space, it could help trace Mars' water loss.
Reshaping Martian Climate?
While Mars is the planet most likely to support life, it is still hostile to many life forms. New research suggests that Mars' surface could be altered to support life. Silica aerogel could heat up the surface, similar to how greenhouse gasses regulate the Earth's temperature.
In the experiments, silica aerogel was able to filter enough light for photosynthesis, all while stopping harmful UV radiation in its tracks. It was also able to raise and maintain temperatures without an internal heat source.
Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars has been a dream for quite some time, but NASA states that we are still far from making it come true. This is due to not having the available technology to modify the conditions. We also have to consider the gravitational impact Mars would have on humans and other life forms.
Buried Treasure On Mars
On a more positive note, there are updates on the water found on Mars. A paper published in Geophysical Research Letters provided a map of water ice believed to be as little as an inch (2.5 centimeters) below the surface. The water ice was identified by using data from NASA orbiters. Where there's water, there's life - or the possibility of it.
"X" Marks the Spot
Finding water on Mars was the first step to knowing if it has ever supported life. Now, these new finds will help scientists select practical landing sites for astronauts. The near-surface water ice should be an easily accessible resource to dig up. Even if it is proven that Mars lost its ability to sustain life, subsurface ice water can be a valuable resource for visiting researchers.
Don't Pack Your Bags Just Yet
The benefit of traveling to the International Space Station is that it's accessible enough to resupply whenever needed. Going to Mars will be, by far, the furthest humankind has ever traveled. Despite all odds, NASA is aiming to send astronauts to Mars by 2035.
