MOSCOW, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The 1920s are remembered not only for their political upheavals, but also for a new interest in exploring other planets.
Imaginative authors of all calibers wove intricate fantasies about exploring the length and breadth of Mars in their books. The budding movie industry made its contribution, too. But it is only a century later, in the 2020s, that humankind has hope of finally touching down on the Red Planet.
That a flight to Mars is a reality is beyond question. Its duration has also been calculated -- using the optimum trajectory, it will take 350 days there and 350 to get back, plus 20 to 30 days spent on the planet's surface. But the exact date is still only a guess. Optimists say 2017-2018 is the nearest "ballistic window" for an Earth-Mars mission, but pessimists consider it unrealistic, above all for technological reasons: a spacecraft must be built, engines developed, and the whole mass weighing hundreds of tons placed on a path to Mars. Nevertheless, a manned expedition to Mars is being prepared with such a schedule in mind. In Russia it is part of the Federal Space Program.
An advanced development project called "A Manned Expedition to Mars" was drafted in 2005. Vitaly Semyonov, chief designer at the Keldysh Center and one of the project developers, said the research already conducted has revealed one important feature: the schedule and costs of a Martian mission depend mainly on the type of propulsion unit.
Scientists have considered different options, including liquid rocket engines burning oxygen and hydrogen; nuclear rocket engines with liquid hydrogen as working medium; and nuclear and solar power units to drive electric propulsion engines. The choice fell on the solar unit with thin film elements based on amorphous silicon. The nuclear unit is viewed as a possible alternative.
Initially, it is planned that five expeditions using the same orbital spacecraft will be mounted. All expeditions will include a multiple solar-powered tug. Their aim will be to select and prepare the site for a Martian base.
Scientists believe the location of the site must above all meet the requirements of safe landing and take-off. Another important factor is the terrain on which a habitable facility will be located to ensure its anti-radiation protection. The terrain must also make easier the monitoring of asteroid-cometary impacts and their dangers for base residents. A further essential requirement is the presence of liquid water at shallow depths. Lastly, an analysis of geological data from Mars has pinpointed the most likely spots with traces of life. It is not inconceivable that these areas will be most attractive for siting the first extra-terrestrial base.
But before the mission gets off the ground, scientists will have to solve, in addition to engineering challenges, a multitude of medical and biological problems. In a strategy for and the planning of a manned expedition to Mars the human factor is the top priority. It is the weakest and most exposed link of the mission, crucial for the whole project. Medical and biological aspects of the expedition therefore pose a new challenge to scientists.
Many of the established principles, methods and means of space travel are unacceptable for a manned Mars mission. What sets it apart is different communications techniques with Earth, a variety of gravity effects, a limited period of adaptation to gravity before landing on Mars, enhanced radiation, and the absence of a magnetic field.
First of two parts
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(Andrei Kislyakov is a political commentator for the RIA Novosti news agency. This article is reprinted by permission of RIA Novosti.)
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(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)
