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from the curiosity-will-get-the-best-of-you dept.
Many hopefuls have signed up for a one-way ticket to the red planet. But if they aren't prepared, the trip may be a short one.
NASA has a plan to land astronauts on its surface by the 2030s. Private spaceflight companies like SpaceX have also expressed interest in starting their own colonies there, while the infamous Mars One project has already enlisted civilians for a one-way trip to our planetary neighbor in 2020.
While many may dream of living their remaining days on Mars, those days may be numbered. The Martian environment poses significant challenges to Earth life, and establishing a Mars habitat will require an extraordinary amount of engineering prowess and technological knowhow to ensure the safety of its residents.
Though we may soon have the launch vehicles needed to transport people to Mars, a lot of the technology required to keep astronauts alive on the planet just isn't ready--and it may not be for many years. For those eager to get to Mars as soon as possible, take caution: A number of tragic outcomes await if you head that way too soon.
(Score: 2) by threedigits on Thursday May 28 2015, @11:18AM
I believe that there's no "non-edible" parts. What will not be consumed by humans will be, as you pointed out, by bacteria. Bacterial digestion is roughly equivalent to burning, albeit slower. Also, burning down biomass tends to release pollutants (NOx) besides the CO2.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 28 2015, @03:44PM
The carbon must accumulate somewhere. So if it is not in non-edible parts of the plants, where is it then?
If it accumulates in the people, there's also a simple solution: They just have to do some sports so they don't get fat. ;-)