The Essential 'This' for Humanity's First Successful Mars Exploration?[Reading Science]

US NASA, Draft Released on 17th, Collecting Feedback, Holding June Workshop for Expert Discussions
Researching Ways to Endure 500 Days in Zero Gravity and Ensure Successful Manned Mars Exploration
Astronauts Propose Ideas Such as Living in Pressurized Rovers During Missions

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is concretizing its Mars exploration plans for the 2030s. Recently, it has begun devising solutions to various problems that may arise during long-distance space travel and Mars exploration.

On the 17th, NASA announced a draft of its Mars exploration plan and is collecting public feedback until the 3rd of next month. According to the plan, NASA intends to send four astronauts to Mars between the late 2030s and early 2040s, have them explore for about 30 days, and then return them to Earth. The round-trip is expected to take approximately 500 days.

The challenge is whether astronauts can endure spaceflight in a microgravity environment for such an extended period. So far, the longest time humans have spent in microgravity is 355 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Moreover, since Mars' gravity is only about one-third that of Earth's, astronauts will inevitably face difficulties adapting. To address these issues, NASA is considering having astronauts stay inside rovers designed to maintain a certain pressure during their missions. Additionally, the upper stage of a hybrid rocket, which uses both electric and chemical propulsion for the journey to Mars, will be designed as a facility where astronauts can live for extended periods. It is anticipated that a total of 25 tons of supplies and equipment, including a return rocket, will be required. NASA is also referencing the Apollo program used during the moon explorations of the 1970s.

NASA is particularly researching food for astronauts during the nearly one-and-a-half-year spaceflight and Mars exploration. From last year through this year, NASA has been hosting the 'Deep Space Food Challenge' to gather ideas and products from the private sector to develop lightweight, nutritious, and long-lasting space food. They are developing food production technologies and supply systems capable of providing sustenance for four astronauts over at least three years of deep space exploration. The entire process?from production, processing, transportation, consumption, and waste management to storing, cooking, and delivering food to the crew?is being designed.

Starting this year, NASA plans to further refine and experiment with its Mars exploration plan through the Artemis program, which will conduct unmanned and manned lunar explorations, aiming to complete the overall framework. Additionally, next month, a workshop will be held with participation from relevant U.S. industries and scholars to conduct in-depth discussions on the Mars exploration plan.