Traveling to Mars has its own challenges. The distance, in itself, makes the trip a kind of mission. But if we get there, the manual work has only just begun. Living and surviving on Mars will be perhaps the biggest challenge for humans. Is it possible to cultivate the lands of Mars? To satisfy this doubt, there is technology on wheels to inspect the red planet!
Do we want to be farmers on Mars?
Let's not have any illusions, getting to Mars will be a huge challenge, and staying there will be something that only works well in science fiction films and series. However, hope is the last to die and there are already those who are preparing for the next day. It is impossible to take everything you need to survive, it is imperative to “live off the land” and produce as much as possible locally.
Thus, a new rover called AgroMars was developed. This machine will be equipped with a series of agriculture-related experiments to study soil composition and assess its suitability for growing food.
Growing food on Mars poses a number of challenges, mainly due to the harsh environmental conditions. Low atmospheric pressure, extreme temperatures and high levels of radiation are some of the most important factors.
To try to solve these problems, new techniques have been developed in the fields of hydroponics and aeroponics. The key to these new techniques involves using nutrient-rich solutions instead of soils.
The Space Station Veggie Facility, here tended by NASA astronaut Scott Tingle, during the VEG-03 investigation into plant growth, which grew extra dwarf Pak Choi, red Russian kale, Wasabi mustard and red lettuce and collected samples in orbit for testing in the land. Credits: NASA
AgroMars: Earth technology on Martian soil
Special structures similar to greenhouses on Earth are built, with artificial lighting and temperature and humidity control. Genetic engineering has also played an important role in developing plants that are more resilient and capable of surviving in harsh Martian environments.
As we continue to explore the Solar System and, in particular, Mars, we will have to find ways to grow food in alien environments.
Enter AgroMars. This is a space mission that takes a rover to Mars to hunt and explore the possibility of establishing agriculture on Mars! The rover will launch with capabilities similar to Perseverance or Curiosity.
The equipment will be launched to Mars by a Falcon 9 launch vehicle operated by SpaceX, but there are still a few years to go. The development phase has not yet started.
In an article by the main author, M. Duarte dos Santos, the mission was shaped, but the reality is still a little far away.
Upon arrival, AgroMars will use an x-ray and infrared spectrometer, high-resolution cameras, pH sensors, mass spectrometers and drilling tools to collect and analyze soil samples. The samples will be evaluated for mineralogical composition, soil texture, soil pH, presence of organic compounds and water retention capacity.
To be able to assess Martian soil, the rover must have advanced capabilities for collecting and analyzing soil samples, more than previously possible. The data will then be sent to laboratories on Earth and it is their responsibility to interpret the information.
The multiplicity of groups involved is an excellent reminder of how science transcends geographic borders. Working together will produce much better results and help advance our knowledge of astrobiology and agriculture on Mars.
In the science fiction film The Martian, astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) attempts to grow potatoes with some success, using human remains on the Martian base as a natural fertilizer.
An investigation worth around 3 billion dollars
But this is not cheap. O Estimated cost of the mission is around 2.7 billion dollarswhich includes the development, launch and exploration of the entire mission.
The total cost of the mission is estimated at around US$2.7 billion, which includes US$2.2 billion for the development and launch of the rover and US$500 million for its exploration throughout the mission.
It is not yet known whether the mission will start, but if we want to explore and even establish a permanent base on Mars, we will have to better understand the environment to feed and sustain future explorers.
