Marswalk One

by Shayler, David J.; Salmon, Andrew; Shayler, Michael D.

• ISBN13: 9781852337926
• ISBN10: 1852337923
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-31
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

MARSWALK ONE: First Steps on a New Planet addresses the question of why we should embark on a journey to Mars, documenting what the first human crew will do when they place their feet in the red dust of the planet. The book also addresses why we need to carry out these tasks and, more importantly, what a human crew could achieve that an automated mission could not. Understanding the clear benefits of sending a human crew to the surface of Mars, and how these benefits can be seen back on Earth, is the key to sustained long-term public and political support for the programme in terms of cash and commitment. The book accepts that the journey will be made, but does not specify precisely when. Flight time, and how to get to and from the planet are discussed briefly, to understand why the suggested duration spent at Mars is reasonable. The main objective of the work is to look at what science will be done on the surface - supported by orbital operations - and what hardware and technology will be employed to achieve the mission objectives. This analysis is drawn from previous experiences in manned and unmanned space programmes, including Apollo, Skylab, Salyut/Mir, Shuttle and ISS, Viking, Luna/Lunokhod, and recent Mars missions such as Pathfinder and Global Surveyor. In addition, new interviews with key personalities involved in planning Martian exploration, and discussions about current thoughts on what we need to accomplish on Mars when we get there, will provide a lively and thought provoking account that could generate fresh debate. When the decision is finally made to go to Mars, it will be made in the knowledge that most of the world knows why we are going and what benefits mankind will see for the effort. The authors' primary objective is to begin this understanding.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Authors' preface	xvii
Acknowledgements	xix
List of illustrations	xxi
Prologue	xxiii
DESTINATION MARS	1	(19)
Time and motion study	2	(4)
Orbital close-up	3	(1)
Home from home	4	(2)
Observing Mars	6	(1)
A rusty planet	6	(8)
Something in the air	7	(2)
On the ground	9	(1)
Mountain high	10	(2)
Grand canyons	12	(1)
Channels and valleys	12	(1)
Ice caps	13	(1)
Phobos and Deimos	14	(3)
Prospects for landing	17	(1)
References	18	(2)
HISTORY OF MARS EXPLORATION	20	(23)
Boldly sending, not boldly going	20	(1)
Robotics	21	(1)
Early attempts	21	(8)
1965: Mariner 4	22	(1)
1969: the Moon and Mars	22	(1)
1971: Mariner 9, and some success for the USSR	23	(2)
1974: Red Fleet	25	(2)
1976: Viking invasion	27	(1)
1989: a different target	28	(1)
The 1990's: mixed fortunes	29	(1)
Mars Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor	29	(6)
A new player	31	(1)
American setbacks	32	(1)
Mars Odyssey	33	(1)
Another new kid on the block	33	(1)
Rovers hit the ground 'on the bounce'	34	(1)
Future plans	35	(7)
Safe landing sites	35	(1)
Where do we go first?	35	(1)
Landing sites	36	(3)
Information is everything	39	(2)
Scientific influences on the choice of landing sites	41	(1)
References	42	(1)
VOYAGE TO MARS	43	(32)
Training	44	(7)
Mars on Earth	44	(3)
Equipment and procedures	47	(1)
Way stations to Mars	47	(1)
Life in low gravity	48	(1)
Tools for the job	49	(2)
The crew	51	(3)
Human skills	51	(1)
The university of life	52	(1)
The value of an engineer	53	(1)
The journey to Mars	54	(9)
Crossing the void	55	(2)
Celestial mechanics	57	(1)
Keeping the kids amused	58	(2)
Medical implications	60	(1)
Mind over matter	61	(1)
Radiation	62	(1)
EVA on the way	63	(1)
Arrival at Mars	63	(2)
Approach speed	63	(1)
Heavy pressure	64	(1)
Orbital operations	65	(5)
Science from Mars orbit	65	(2)
Work by the astronauts in orbit	67	(1)
Telerobotics	68	(2)
To land, or not to land	70	(1)
Communications	70	(2)
TDRS, or ground stations	70	(1)
Areocentric satellites	71	(1)
Solar conjunction interference	71	(1)
Spacecraft communications	72	(1)
References	72	(3)
EVOLUTION OF A MARSWALK	75	(22)
Concepts for a Marswalk	75	(7)
Das Marsprojekt	75	(1)
Cosmonauts on Mars by 1969?	76	(1)
Early NASA plans, 1960-64	77	(1)
The golden era, 1968-71	78	(4)
Mars in a new light	82	(7)
Mars Direct	84	(2)
How long to stay?	86	(2)
Hazards for EVA on Mars	88	(1)
The 1989 study report	89	(1)
NASA's Mars Reference Mission	90	(1)
Walk the walk	91	(3)
2001: a Mars workshop	91	(2)
Drawing on four decades of experience	93	(1)
2004: a new spirit of discovery	94	(1)
References	94	(3)
WARDROBE FOR MARS	97	(36)
New technology using old ideas	97	(9)
Walking on the wild side	97	(2)
Which way to go?	99	(1)
From surface to sea bed	100	(3)
Advantages and disadvantages of atmospheric diving suits	103	(2)
From sea to space	105	(1)
Ultimate high-altitude pressure suits and cabins	105	(1)
Surface exploration suit development	106	(5)
Suited for Apollo	107	(3)
Suited for the Moon	110	(1)
Early hard suits for space	111	(8)
The RX suit programme	112	(5)
Suited for Space Shuttle and space station	117	(1)
Soviet developments	118	(1)
The first planetary EVA suit	119	(8)
Physical and environmental limitations	119	(2)
Information technology	121	(1)
New ideas for a new goal	121	(3)
Scenarios for EVA suit utilisation	124	(1)
Considerations for access to and from the martian surface	125	(2)
Developments towards a Mars EVA suit	127	(2)
Zvezda evaluations	127	(1)
The I, D and H demonstration suits	127	(1)
Support technologies	128	(1)
Mars suit requirements	129	(2)
References	131	(2)
SURFACE EXPLORATION	133	(40)
Potential crew activities on Mars	133	(2)
Learning from Apollo	135	(5)
A study in surface activities	140	(4)
Crew-member suggestions	141	(1)
Initial surface activities	142	(1)
Mission control in orbit	142	(1)
Why 90 days?	143	(1)
Surface exploration: 1989 study plans	144	(10)
Definition of a Mars EVA task	144	(1)
Planning the EVAs	145	(2)
Achieving the objectives	147	(3)
Operational requirements	150	(1)
Hypothetical scenario	151	(3)
EVA on Mars: the operational issues	154	(10)
Early extended expeditions	154	(3)
EVA planning	157	(3)
Communications	160	(1)
EVA communications	161	(1)
Field camps	162	(1)
Field geology	163	(1)
EVA support	164	(3)
Robots on surface traverses	164	(2)
Partners working together	166	(1)
The dangers of EVA	167	(1)
Hazards on Mars	168	(3)
Dust-storms	168	(1)
Radiation	169	(1)
Medical considerations	169	(1)
Mobility	170	(1)
References	171	(2)
SCIENCE ON THE SURFACE	173	(20)
Areas of research	173	(8)
A reason to go	174	(1)
Tools of the trade	174	(1)
Surface science and applications	175	(3)
The geosciences	178	(1)
Weather and climate	179	(1)
Upper atmospheric physics	180	(1)
Dust	180	(1)
Radiation	181	(1)
Equipment	181	(1)
Surface science packages	181	(8)
Comparison of ALSEP and MSEP	182	(4)
Lander science laboratory	186	(1)
Laboratory design	186	(1)
Sample analysis in the laboratory	187	(1)
Sample collection on Mars	187	(1)
Microscopes	188	(1)
Learning and returning	188	(1)
Science on traverses	189	(3)
Size of the field party	189	(1)
Other considerations	189	(1)
Justification for human scientists on Mars	190	(2)
References	192	(1)
LIVING THE DREAM	193	(26)
Crew training	193	(3)
Hardware	196	(1)
Habitation on Mars	196	(20)
The working environment	199	(1)
Life support systems	200	(2)
The working day	202	(1)
Medical considerations	203	(1)
Hygiene	204	(1)
Clothing	205	(1)
Food preparation and meals	206	(2)
Waste disposal	208	(2)
Sleep	210	(1)
Storage	211	(1)
Communications	211	(2)
Leisure time	213	(2)
Mechanics and repairs	215	(1)
Learning to live in space	216	(1)
References	217	(2)
THE RETURN	219	(10)
The return to Earth	219	(3)
Pre-departure operations	219	(1)
Coming home	220	(2)
Public affairs at home	222	(1)
Martian samples	222	(3)
Analysis	223	(1)
Contamination	224	(1)
The return to Mars	225	(1)
Beyond Mars	226	(2)
References	228	(1)
Chronology	229	(8)
Bibliography	237	(4)
Index	241