If you had the chance to spend the rest of your life on a pre-funded trip to Mars, leaving anything and everything behind, would you? A few researchers and scientists from the Bristol University in Britain have been chosen to test what such an event would be like during the first phase, by visiting the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah. This station has a setting and a biome which is comparable to Mars, allowing the researchers to test new technologies. These technologies will allow for extended stays on Mars, some including ultrasonic space suits that allow humans to feel texture and heat based through the suit while still being safe. These breakthroughs in technology will hopefully not only allow for human life Mars (Presumably within biospheres or domes) but will also maintain human sanity and emotion to a good level.
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(Pictured) Researchers Ashley Dale, and Unnamed Researcher
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This article explains what it truly is to commit to something like this, and how it impacts humanity and science in such a massive way. The group of people who would be taking the one way trip to Mars would wish their families goodbye, as well as every other human (besides the other researchers) for the rest of their entire life. This may seem like the ultimate commitment but the manner in which it would impact our understanding of how colonization of other planets (as well as the red planet itself) would work out. This could be one of the most important discovery in human space travel to date, as it would actually allow humans to show what it is like to live somewhere else, somewhere far off.
To criticize the article, as well as the study itself, one might ask for some detail upon the biospheres or form of transport that the humans taking the trip would take. One might also criticize the life that these people will be asked to give up, in the name of scientific breakthrough. The article in itself was both well written and well informed, with a hopeful and gracious attitude to the text. In my personal opinion I would not be able to do it, at this moment in my life or any other.
"Bristol Research Trio to Experience ‘life on Mars’." Bristol University. Bristol University, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2014. <http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2013/9929.html>.
Andrew did a fantastic job providing the reader with a emotional and psychological analysis of what a human might experience leaving mars. At first glance an opportunity to be one of the few to visit Mars would sound amazing but saying goodbye to one’s family and friends provokes feeling of doubt. The point made about having to leave essentially all of humanity for the entirety of one’s life. Additionally he explained that there may be tension within the group after living together for so long. Additionally the use of visual aid was interesting and it had not been done in our class blog. Ultrasonic space suites sound confusing and the image gave the reader a way to imagine them. Finally I feel that Andrews’s critique of the piece was accurate because, like Andrew, the immediate question one might have after reading this article would pertain to the characteristics of a bio dome. As stated by Andrew in his critique, some example of biomes would help the reader obtain a clear understanding. From this summary I learned many things. Prior to reading this summary I had never considered the possibility of a space suite that could not only block unfriendly climates but also regulate its own atmosphere with controllable temperature. However, perhaps the most innovative and interesting traits of the suite is the ability of advance touch sense. This was previously proved to interfere with an astronaut’s maintenance on the delicate space technology. This suit would fix that problem and it was very interesting to hear about such profound and useful pieces of technology. Additionally I before reading this article I had no knowledge of biomes which, as described by Andrew, are spheres of different climates that can be used to test conditions on another planet. This could prove to be exceedingly useful to view how humans might react under such stressful and harsh conditions. Another field where biomes might help with would be technological functionality. One could imagine a scenario where under Earth conditions a piece of equipment might function flawlessly, however under the conditions simulated by the biomes it might not function as it did under more ideal conditions. One area of this analysis that is weaker is a lack of insight into how we would get to Mars, as that information is vital to the question, how might humans react emotionally on Mars?
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I think you did a really good job with this piece. It shows you have a lot of interest in the topic. And it really showed on this piece. Another good thing you did is that you kept it short and sweet and it was very nice. It wasn't too long where i bores you easily or too short where that is not enough info. Lastly another good feature you added was the picture, i think that brought another feeling to the piece making it stand out more. I admire it even making me add a picture of my topic as well. Many of the information you described had lots of detail. I agree with your critiques as well and I didn't know but thanks to you i learned something new. although your piece was good i think you executed this project outstanding.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job!