Trey’s Take on (Extra) Terrestrial Technology

–some technological thoughts by Trey Lucatero

The Martian is a science fiction novel that has been recently adapted into a major motion picture. Written by Andy Weir, it takes place in the near future and follows a man named Mark Watney (Matt Damon) through a series of trials that he must endure after he gets unexpectedly stranded alone on Mars after a failed space mission, Ares III. Without the help of his crew members or NASA, Watney is forced to use spare parts of the Habitat (the crew’s earth-like living quarters) to “Science the s*** out of this” and survive. Despite his extensive training in botany, he must use his rudimentary skills in chemistry, engineering, and astro-physics to survive on this desolate planet. Much of the technology that was featured in the movie and novel are actual technology programs being developed by NASA today. The Habitat or the “Hab,” which is actually being developed in real time by NASA, is where Watney spends most of his time. NASA’s prototype, named the HERA, is a self- contained environment that simulates a deep-space habitat. This contains a simulated airlock, which replicates the atmospheric conditions on earth. Astronauts live in this HERA for 14 days (soon to be increased to 60 days). They put aspiring astronauts in the HERA to simulate the living conditions of the International Space Station (ISS).

To survive being stranded this long, Watney needs to create a food source. He uses the limited materials that came with the probes that landed on the planet months before the next Mars mission (ARES IV) was set to arrive on Mars. He creates a farm in the Hab and grows potatoes. The potatoes and astronaut food sustain him for several hundred days. Scientists are already able to crudely farm in space. Red romaine lettuce has been successfully grown and harvested on the orbiting ISS. The technology of being able to grow food on Mars is soon to be a reality.

One of the greatest issues of manned missions to Mars is the lack of water on the red planet. Just a month ago, seasonal flows of water were discovered on Mars. Previously, there hadn’t been evidence of any water. NASA has since discovered seasonal flows of water on high mountains of the Martian surface. This could be huge in the ability for prolonged survival on Mars. “On the International Space Station, no drop of sweat, tears, or even urine goes to waste. The Environmental Control and Life Support System recovers and recycles water from everywhere: urine, hand washing, oral hygiene, and other sources. Through the Water Recovery System (WRS), water is reclaimed and filtered, ready for consumption. One astronaut simply put it, ‘Yesterday’s coffee turns into tomorrow’s coffee'” (NASA). The Water Recovery System is currently being developed and could be instrumental for the future colonization of Mars.

It’s amazing to see such big box-office hits reflecting actual science–actual ground-breaking scientific achievement.

–Edited by Chloe Sweeney