Moon Base to Mars

Open to everyone until Tuesday, September 29

To keep it, print it while it is open.

Returning to the Moon and then reaching Mars requires keeping people alive far from Earth. A base must supply air, water, food and power, while a Mars trip adds months of travel and long communication delays.

In the picture

Sealed habitat module: a closed environment must recycle air and water.
Dome greenhouse: growing food on site reduces supplies carried from Earth.
Surface rover: crews need vehicles to explore and gather resources beyond the base.
Transfer vehicle near Mars: the long distance means months of travel and delayed communication.

Examples

A submarine recycles air and water for its crew during long dives.
A remote research station carries fuel and supplies because the nearest town is hours away.

Key takeaways

Spacecraft must carry or recycle almost everything people need to survive.
Mars is far enough that radio signals take minutes to arrive, so help from Earth cannot be immediate.