A Traveler's Guide to Surviving Mars: What You Need to Know
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Chapter 1: Welcome to Mars
Greetings, adventurous traveler! Mars, the Red Planet, is cold and dusty, and it has not seen running water for about four billion years. You’re bound to find it intriguing! From the majestic heights of Olympus Mons to the chilling expanse of Hellas Planitia, Mars is packed with wonders for the intrepid explorer.
However, be forewarned: Mars lacks any hotels or restaurants. Prepare for your adventure with a sturdy tent—preferably one that can withstand harmful radiation—and ample food supplies that will last a year or two until the next flight home. Forget about nightlife; there isn't any, and the biting cold of Martian nights would deter even the most enthusiastic partygoers. So, leave your party attire behind and bring extra thermal layers instead!
Getting There
Traveling to Mars is straightforward. Regular missions launch from Earth every eighteen months, syncing with the planetary orbits around the Sun. Be patient about returning; the first return flight to Earth is yet to be scheduled. NASA and ESA are collaborating on a rescue mission, expected to depart at the end of this decade. You might need to barter some of those quirky Martian rocks you collect, but surely Earth has plenty of them!
Cloudy Skies and Dusty Winds
The Martian climate is vastly different from what you know on Earth. The atmosphere is incredibly thin, primarily composed of carbon dioxide, making it impossible to breathe. Expect extremely low temperatures, particularly at night, which can plummet well below freezing.
The good news? You won’t need an umbrella as it never rains. Clouds may occasionally appear, especially near the Arisa Mons volcano, but the worst you’ll face is a light coating of carbon dioxide frost. However, dust storms are a genuine concern. Strong winds generated by temperature variations can whip up dust, occasionally leading to planet-wide storms. Luckily, the thin air means you needn't fear damaging winds.
Staying Alive on Mars
Survival is not guaranteed. Contrary to popular belief, Mars isn't hospitable to life. Key elements for survival—food, water, breathable air, and even gravity—are scarce. The planet’s weak magnetic field leaves you vulnerable to harmful solar radiation. If hunger doesn’t get you, radiation exposure might.
You must set up a base for protection from solar rays. While burrowing underground offers some safety, it limits your sightseeing opportunities. As for food, you’ll need a sufficient supply, as sourcing more on Mars will be a challenge. You might attempt to cultivate crops, but the toxic perchlorates in the Martian soil pose significant obstacles. Even if you manage that, growth will be limited to hardy plants that can withstand the minimal sunlight and harsh conditions.
If you manage to survive, you’ll face another hurdle: gravity. Mars has about 38% of Earth's gravity, leading to muscle atrophy and weakened bones. While exercise can mitigate some effects, returning to Earth will be a struggle.
Phoning Home
Internet access is available on Mars, though it’s not what you're accustomed to. Light speed limits communication, with messages taking between six and forty minutes for a round trip. Forget about gaming with friends back on Earth!
Infrastructure is another issue. We’re still waiting for Elon Musk to extend Starlink to Mars, so only a few satellites provide connectivity. Expect slow speeds—just a few megabits per second—and be prepared for a stern warning from NASA if you hog bandwidth.
Exploring Mars' Wonders
Olympus Mons
Begin your Martian adventure at Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the Solar System. Its massive surface area rivals that of France and it towers over Mount Everest. The summit grazes the Martian atmosphere, so a spacesuit is a must.
Do not expect breathtaking views from the top; the volcano's sheer size means you'll see mainly the volcano itself. Thankfully, the ascent is gentle, with a rise of about five meters for every hundred meters traveled. Rest assured, the last eruption occurred millions of years ago.
The Tharsis Bulge
Nestled to the northwest of Olympus Mons is the Tharsis Bulge, home to three colossal volcanoes—Ascraeus Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Arsia Mons. Each volcano surpasses any on Earth, hinting at a tumultuous geological history.
Around four billion years ago, this area experienced frequent eruptions that contributed to the early atmosphere, possibly enabling primitive life forms. Today, you can explore dramatic calderas and deep caves, with a chance of stumbling upon ancient water ice or even fossils!
Valles Marineris
Don’t miss Valles Marineris, a breathtaking canyon stretching thousands of miles, far surpassing the Grand Canyon. In certain areas, the walls rise over four miles high, creating one of the few locations on Mars with near-Earth air pressure.
Believed to have volcanic origins, Valles Marineris showcases the immense power of ancient geological processes. Visit the eastern side, where remnants of ancient rivers suggest a past filled with flowing water. Make sure to check out the Mars Pathfinder Rover, one of the many robotic explorers on this planet.
Borealis Basin
Imagine visiting four billion years ago when the Borealis Basin may have been an expansive ocean. Today, remnants of ancient shorelines are etched into the rock.
This unique feature of Mars is intriguing, as the northern hemisphere sits about three kilometers lower than the southern. Some scientists propose that a massive asteroid impact created this depression, while others think it might have resulted from tectonic activity. Evidence of past tsunamis has been observed, hinting at the presence of water long ago.
Hellas Planitia
Before you conclude your Martian journey, visit Hellas Planitia, one of the largest impact craters on the planet. This incredible basin stretches over a thousand miles and is deep enough to hold Mount Everest comfortably.
Famed for its glaciers and the spectacular valleys they carved, Hellas Planitia was shaped during Mars' last ice age, which may have ended just 400,000 years ago. Dress warmly, as the southern hemisphere experiences more extreme temperature fluctuations than the north.
If you visit during summer, don’t miss the southern ice sheet. As frozen carbon dioxide thaws, it can erupt dramatically, providing an unforgettable final memory to take back to Earth.
As you prepare for your journey, check out the video "How NOT to Die on Mars — Part 1: Water" for essential tips on surviving on the Red Planet.
Additionally, "How NOT to Die on Mars — Part 4: Survival Procedures" offers crucial advice for navigating the challenges you'll face on your Martian adventure.