WATER

Solution: Water Reclaimer

Water would be limited on Mars, so it is important to create a device that can filter water to be used over and over in a continuous cycle. Like typical water filters, a water reclaimer can split the water from excess particles and waste that are not needed. “Research is being conducted to advance the disposable multi-filtration beds (the filters that remove inorganic and non-volatile organic contaminants) to be a more permanent component to the system. Brine water recovery would reclaim every drop of the water from the “bottoms product” leftover from urine distillation. For future human-exploration missions, crews would be less dependent on any resupply of spare parts or extra water from Earth.”

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OXYGEN

Solution: Oxygenator

Mars’ atmosphere is made up of 96% carbon dioxide, so it is vital to retrieve oxygen somewhere in order to survive on the planet. NASA has said that, “On the International Space Station, the astronauts and cosmonauts have the Oxygen Generation System, which processes the atmosphere of the spacecraft to continuously provide breathable air efficiently and sustainably. The system produces oxygen through a process called electrolysis, which splits water molecules into their component oxygen and hydrogen atoms.”

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PRESSURE

Solution: Airlock sealed HAB

In order to keep a pressure consistent HAB, a seal is needed. Using the resources available, it is necessary to create an air lock seal that will trap pressure inside the module and offer habitation to those on board. In real life, NASA has built HERA, “a self-contained environment that simulates a deep-space habitat. The two-story habitat is complete with living quarters, workspaces, a hygiene module and a simulated airlock. Within the module, test subjects conduct operational tasks, complete payload objectives and live together.” Basically isolating the environment suitable for human life.

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RADIATION

Solution: Canvas (base of HAB)

NASA describes the effect of radiation by stating, “These more energetic particles can knock apart atoms in the material they strike, such as in the astronaut, the metal walls of a spacecraft, habitat, or vehicle, causing sub-atomic particles to shower into the structure.” Which holds major consequences to the astronaut, and example being malignant cancer. However, “There are two ways to shield from these higher-energy particles and their secondary radiation: use a lot more mass of traditional spacecraft materials, or use more efficient shielding materials.” Canvas is an efficient shielding material used to block harmful radiation in many space endeavors. The quote from The Martian, “So the HAB canvas shields from electromagnetic waves.”(108) directly proves that such material has the ability to deflect the radiation surrounding Mars.

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FOOD

Solution: sustained greenhouse/farm

This is viable solution. On the real mission they will have to grow their own food. It may not be potatoes, but NASA has acknowledged that because of the long flight time they will have to either send food in advance or grow it themselves on Mars. Acquiring a potato would be a good start to a mission to Mar, and currently NASA is looking into better and more nutrient-rich food to implement on the red planet.

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ENERGY

Solution: Solar Panels (tinfoil sheets)

In the book, The Martian, Mark Watney gets energy from solar panels. There is evidence that, in a real case scenario, solar panels would be use to provide astronauts energy. The International space station, for example, is provided with energy through the use of solar panels. Using solar panels will help in the power supply the HAB may consume throughout the mission.

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