William Hunt

Professor Adam Padgett

ENG 1102
April 8, 2015
Human Exploration of Mars
For more than 50 years, humans have dared to explore the mysteries of space first
hand. The beginning of human spaceflight in the 1960's brought along the start of an
incredible era of space exploration and discovery. In 1968, the National Aeronautic and
Space Administration (NASA) propelled humans on a path to orbit the moon for the first
time. The very next year, Neil Armstrong said the famous words "That's one small step
for man, one giant leap for mankind" when stepping out onto the lunar surface. Since the
time of the space race, we have moved forward significantly in our exploration of space
and now are on the advent of human exploration of Mars. The debate of whether or not to
send humans to Mars is still very active. There are still many risks associated with this,
such as underdeveloped technology, the affect on the human body, and of course the cost.
On the other hand, it holds astronomical scientific and technological value, it will fulfill
an innate human desire for exploration and discovery, and will have significant economic
and international benefits. Despite these risks, we should continue to pursue these
scientific and economic benefits, while fulfilling our need for exploration, by sending
humans to Mars.
For all of human existence there is at least one prevailing similarity among the
generations, which is the trend of exploration and seeking out new discoveries. Some of
the earliest human ancestors migrated out of Africa and onward to the Middle East and
Europe more than 50,000 years ago. This early migration could have been to hunt for
food or even a better environment to live; regardless of the reason, it is a case for human
exploration. A more recent example of this would be of Christopher Columbus becoming
the first European to discover America in 1492 (which was already inhabited by native
people and arguably discovered previously by the Icelandic explorer Leif Erickson in the
11th century). Although there are varying views on who discovered America first, all of
them were driven by the discoverers desire for exploration. The Eastern world had a vast
and sophisticated civilization long before venturing to America. Humanity would have
continued to progress without this major discovery, however, they would have missed out
on the profound contributions that developed as a result.
Fast-forward to present day humanity and the Earth has been, geographically,
fully explored (in one way or another). Humans, and their ancestors, have spent millennia
roaming around the Earth and now have just begun their trek into space. Having already
explored our nearest celestial body (the Moon), the next logical place for human
exploration is Mars. When thinking of the next best place we could send humans, the
terrestrial body that comes closest to Earth is Venus (at about 38.2 million kilometers
compared to Mars 55.7 million kilometers), however, the surface temperature there is a
staggering 864 degrees Fahrenheit (Williams, Venus Fact Sheet; Williams, Mars Fact
Sheet). The temperature at the equator on Mars can vary between minus 195 degrees
Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit; this range is much closer to that of Earth (Williams,
Mars Fact Sheet). In regards to the other planetary options for exploration, they have
characteristics of being much too close to the Sun, being a gaseous planet without a hard
surface, too cold, or too distant for humans to reach with current technology (NASA).
Beyond the appealing location that Mars holds, it also has an atmosphere that can
be particularly advantageous to future human explorers. The Martian atmosphere is
primarily composed of carbon dioxide (about 95%) (Williams, Mars Fact Sheet). The
presence of this element can be useful to produce other extremely important resources.
Dr. Erik Seedhouse, an aerospace scientist formerly with the German Space Agencys
Institute for Space Medicine, has described how humans can utilize this resource to

Dr. Erik Seedhouse, an aerospace scientist formerly with the German Space Agencys
Institute for Space Medicine, has described how humans can utilize this resource to
produce oxygen by utilizing an electric current to separate oxygen molecules from carbon
monoxide molecules (Seedhouse). Along with this use astronauts can use stored
hydrogen in conjunction with the carbon dioxide on Mars to produce methane and water,
which can be used as spacecraft propellant and for life support (Shaw). This information
shows that Mars has a, relatively, ideal location and valuable resources that significantly
support human exploration.
The planet Mars has been studied extensively by satellites, telescopes, and surface
rovers since the 1960s (NASA). In that time, many discoveries have been made that
contribute to our understanding of the planet and our solar system. This exploration has
led us to believe that Mars was once much more similar to Earth than it is now and still is
in many ways. Various missions to mars have made it possible for us to know that the
general details of the planet are capable of supporting human exploration such as the
temperature, solid surface, a rotation similar in time to Earths day, and the presence of
similar seasons (NASA). More recently in 2012, NASAs Curiosity Rover has made
profound discoveries of organic compounds, active Methane in the atmosphere, and
evidence of ancient geological formations made by flowing water (NASA). The main
implication of this evidence is that there once could have been life on Mars and could
even be present now on a microscopic level. All of the prior discoveries made on Mars
propel the case for sending humans to further explore the surface first hand.
As we continue the migration and evolution of our species into space, we will
need to develop new ways to be able to survive in that environment. To date, important
information has been obtained on humans exploring space from the first manned mission
up to the current occupation of the International Space Station. By sending humans to
Mars, immense scientific data will be obtained that will impact future scientific research.
New science that can be learned in doing this includes the impact of deep space travel on
human physiology, how to effectively protect against harmful solar radiation, how to
survive on other planetary bodies, and close-up surveys of the Martian surface.
Government and private space firms are currently designing and developing answers to
many of the concerns of sending humans to Mars.
Dr. Douglas Vakoch, the Professor of Clinical Psychology at the California
Institute of Integral Studies, has detailed the impacts of extended spaceflight on humans
in his 2013 book On Orbit and Beyond: psychological perspectives on human
spaceflight. He explains that, based on extensive NASA research and ground based
isolation research, activities such as effective planning of work and personal time,
developing a sense of home in their living space, and even maintaining earth traditions
will ensure that humans can (mentally) endure long voyages (Vakoch). Although there is
much research in this area, a significant amount of new data would be obtained from the
missions to Mars.
In addition to the research related to human physiology, scientific advancements
related to rocket propulsion, life support systems, and advanced technological systems to
control these aspects will be obtained (Seedhouse). These are critical advancements that
have a direct impact on future missions and also other unrelated areas outside of the
space industry. Furthering these technologies will lead to a higher success rate in all
future missions related to space. A company called SpaceX, which is currently working
towards sending humans to Mars, is already developing a reusable rocket that will
significantly reduce the cost associated with sending payloads to outer space (SpaceX).
This type of technological advancement directly affects the space exploration industry,
but also will be beneficial to other commercial companies as well as the government
defense sector.
With one of the primary drawbacks of sending humans to Mars being its cost to
the government (which is ultimately funded by citizens), there is a legitimate concern
regarding this issue. Historically, space has been explored by governments around the
world due to the lack of profitability it holds. Today, this is being challenged by the
advanced knowledge we now have about space and the economic opportunities it holds
for private companies and the government. SpaceX, being only one example, has
expanded to more than 3,000 employees and nearly $5 billion dollars in contracts to
launch payloads into space for other private companies and NASA. When looking at

for private companies and the government. SpaceX, being only one example, has
expanded to more than 3,000 employees and nearly $5 billion dollars in contracts to
launch payloads into space for other private companies and NASA. When looking at
other leading companies in the related fields of space, defense, and security (such as
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital Sciences, and United Launch Alliance), employment
has risen to more than 170,000 people (Boeing) (Lockheed Martin) (Orbital Sciences)
(United Launch Alliance). With one estimate of $65 billion to send humans to Mars, this
rapidly growing sector will take substantial funding pressure off of the government and
also distribute valuable economic growth to the private sector and citizens (Seedhouse).
When we combine the cost reducing methods of the private sector, current scientific
advancements being developed, and using resources already on Mars, the overall costs
can be drastically reduced to more realistic levels.
Another important outcome of a human mission to Mars would be the
international collaboration between various countries. Since its initial launch in 1998, the
International Space Station has been a collaborative effort of 15 of the worlds leading
countries. Among the countries taking part of the project are the United States, Russia,
Canada, Japan, Germany, and many others. There has no doubt been political tension
between many of the countries included in this list in the past 17 years; however, the
partnerships in the International Space Station have gone unbroken (NASA). The
opportunities of space exploration have consistently drawn nations together and could
continue to do so as joint ventures to Mars arise in the future.
Human exploration has proven itself to lead to monumental discoveries over the
course of history. Mars is a place that has long captivated the interest of humans because
of its opportunities and its impression of being such a short journey away. There are
many important scientific advancements within reach and will unquestionably be made
along the way to the Red Planet. In pursuing these advancements and discoveries, rapidly
growing economic benefits and international collaboration will continue to develop at
exponential rates. President John F. Kennedy once said, when telling America we were
going to the Moon, We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things,
not because they are easy, but because they are hard A bold mission to send humans
on an exploration of Mars is, by no means, an easy task; but it is one of the endeavors
that what will make all of these essential contributions to humanity a reality.
Citations
NASA. A Chronology of Mars Exploration. 8 Nov 2013. Stephen Garber.
<http://history.nasa.gov/marschro.htm>.
. Apollo 11 Lunar Module / EASEP. Aug 2014. 2015
<http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=1969-059C>.
. International Partners and Participation. Jun 2014. 8 Apr 2015
<https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/partners.html>.
. Mars Facts. 5 April 2015 <http://mars.nasa.gov/allaboutmars/facts/>.
. Top 5 Science Discoveries. Apr 2015
<http://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/science/results/>.
BOEING. About Us. 2014.
<http://www.boeing.com/boeing/aboutus/employment/employment_table.page>.
LOCKHEED MARTIN. Who We Are. 2015.
<http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/who-we-are.html>.
ORBITAL SCIENCES. 2013 Annual Report. 2013.
<https://materials.proxyvote.com/Approved/685564/20140224/AR_196115/#/1/>.
SHAW, MALCOLM J. A Crewed Mission to Mars... 6 Jan 2005. 2015
<http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/mars/marssurf.html>.
SPACEX. About SpaceX. 2015. <http://www.spacex.com/about>.
UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE. Quick Facts. 2014.

SPACEX. About SpaceX. 2015. <http://www.spacex.com/about>.

UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE. Quick Facts. 2014.
<http://www.ulalaunch.com/about_quickfacts.aspx>.
VAKOCH, DR. DOUGLAS. On orbit and beyond : psychological perspectives on
human spaceflight. New York: Springer, 2013.
WILLIAMS, DR. DAVID R. Mars Fact Sheet. 25 Apr 2014. 8 Apr 2015
<http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/marsfact.html>.
. Venus Fact Sheet. 9 May 2014. 8 Apr 2015
<http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/venusfact.html>.
SEEDHOUSE, ERIK. Martian Outpost: The Challenges of Establishing a Human
Settlement on Mars. Berlin: Springer, 2009. Print.