Not too long ago, colonizing the solar system was a fever dream; a fantasy portrayed as science fiction in popular entertainment. Fast forward to the present day and we have billionaires taking leisure trips to space, with the colonization of Mars quickly becoming a tangible reality.
A large number of space agencies have committed to landing humans on Mars, as well as the research of permanent settlements on the Red Planet. These agencies include public ones like NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, and ISRO, as well as private organizations such as SpaceX, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin.
Several technologies combined represent the key to unlocking interstellar travel. Below you’ll find a list of six technologies for space exploration that are currently in development.
Propulsion systems
Mars is over 30 million miles from Earth. With current propulsion technology, distances of that size are simply too long for human travel. At present, experts seem to agree that nuclear-powered propulsion will greatly alleviate this problem. Technologies like nuclear electric and nuclear thermal propulsion have been touted as the most likely solutions.
Nuclear electric rockets are extremely efficient but lack thrust power. Nuclear thermal rockets aren’t nearly as efficient as their nuclear electric counterparts, but they boast a lot more power in terms of thrust and top speed.
Heat shields
Heat shields protect spacecraft against atmospheric hazards like intense heat and friction. There are currently no shields capable of allowing humans to safely enter Mars’ atmosphere. However, many space agencies are working on advanced heat shields.
Weight and spatial considerations limit the amount of heat shielding a spacecraft can have. NASA, for example, is close to completing an inflatable heat shield, one that can maximize surface area coverage whilst still remaining as compact as possible when not in use.
Spacesuits
Nowadays, hi-tech spacesuits prioritize modular design and ubiquitous use. Custom-fit designs tend to come from the private sector, while public space agencies tend to focus on capability over comfort.
SpaceX has a rather futuristic-looking spacesuit design which is already in use today. NASA’s latest spacesuit, the exploration extravehicular unit (or xEMU), despite looking a bit bulkier than its competition, boasts increased customizability compared to other spacesuits
Mobility
Exploring the rough terrain of Mars requires a vehicle with specific capabilities. Astronauts need a vehicle with high mobility, full life support, and several features related to exploration and discovery, such as lab equipment and surveillance tools.
RV-style vehicles are the ideal solution. Astronauts can travel in comfortable clothing thanks to a pressurized cabin. These vehicles should be able to house everything that the astronauts need to survive for extended periods away from their landing site.
Energy
An uninterrupted power supply is imperative to survival on Mars. In the same way that we need a constant supply of electricity to keep the lights on, astronauts will need a reliable form of energy that can supply power under any conditions.
Like Earth, Mars has a full day/night cycle. Unlike Earth, it also has dust storms that can last for months at a time, blocking out the sun during the day. For this reason, nuclear power will be more reliable than solar power. The first tests of nuclear power will occur on the Moon, and once proven viable, will be tested on Mars.
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