How Much Space Do Astronauts Need for a Mars Mission?
The Challenge of Designing Spacecraft for Long-Duration Missions
Crewed missions to Mars have long been a dream of science fiction, but NASA is taking concrete steps towards making a human colony on the Red Planet a reality. One of the key challenges in designing spacecraft for such missions is determining how much space each astronaut will need to live, work, and thrive during the months-long journey.
The Orion Space Capsule and the Need for a Larger Habitat
The Orion space capsule is designed to carry astronauts from Earth’s surface to orbit around Mars, but a larger habitat will be required for the months-long journey to the neighboring planet. The design of this habitat is still in progress, but researchers are looking to the International Space Station (ISS) for guidance.
The International Space Station as a Model for Mars Habitats
The ISS carries a crew of six people and has a habitable volume of 13,696 cubic feet, larger than a six-bedroom house. However, any spacecraft headed to Mars will be much more cramped, as weight will be tightly controlled due to the immense distance and fuel requirements.
Draper’s Tracking System for Astronauts
A company called Draper has developed a tracking system to measure astronaut movement and rotation, which can be used to optimize the layout of future Mars habitats. The system uses an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a camera to accurately track astronauts’ movements and activities.
Testing the Tracking System in Mock-Ups and Microgravity
The tracking system has been tested in mock-ups of the ISS and in microgravity conditions during parabolic flights. The tests have shown that the system is accurate to within a yard, and further testing is expected to improve its accuracy even further.
Future Plans for the Tracking System
Later this year, Draper plans to simulate a typical day’s work on the ISS using the Johnson Space Center’s mock-up. The tracking system will be used to collect data on astronaut movement and activities, which will be used to refine the design of future Mars habitats.
NASA’s Long-Term Plans for Mars Missions
NASA’s plan is to send a crewed mission to Mars in the 2030s or 2040s. The tracking system is just one of many technologies that are being developed to support this ambitious goal. By carefully considering the needs of astronauts and optimizing the design of spacecraft, NASA is working to make the dream of a human colony on Mars a reality.