Could You REALLY Survive A Trip To Mars? | Answers With Joe

We've been talking about going to Mars since the end of the Apollo program. Now there's a new wave of interest in traveling to the Red Planet - but the challenges that wait for those who take the trip are bigger than most think - and possibly unsurmountable.

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The human body is adapted for living here on Earth and nowhere else in the universe. Just a few of the problems we'll find going to Mars are:

The effects of weightlessness. Astronauts who have been on long-duration flights to the ISS have experienced vision problems, cardiovascular issues, bone loss, elevated CO2 levels, reduced cognition, and more.

All of these issues will be exacerbated on a Mars trip because the shortest trip to Mars would be far longer than the longest any human has ever been in space (Valeri Polyakov spent 14 months in space in 1995).

Radiation and cosmic rays will be an issue. Almost all of the time we've spent in space has been in low Earth orbit (LEO), which is under the Earth's magnetic shield. The trip to Mars would expose the passengers to all the solar radiation and comic rays that our magnetic shield blocks, and studies have shown that the 24 Apollo astronauts that flew to the Moon showed a 5x greater incidence of cardiovascular disease later in life.

Immune system issues. Studies have shown that astronauts' immune systems are reduced when weightless and bacteria become stronger at the same time. Outbreaks in the enclosed environment on Mars would be an issue.

The conditions of Mars. Mars only has 1% of the atmosphere of Earth and even that is carbon dioxide, which we can't breathe. It also makes temperatures vary widely. Plus the soil is filled with perchlorate, which affects our endocrine system and can cause breathing problems.

LINKS LINKS LINKS:

Perchlorate:

Video of astronauts landing:

[joescott]

So, it has been pointed out - like, hundreds of times - that the image of Mars used in the first couple of minutes is actually the moon and not Mars. This was not some deep symbolism or a prank, it was an honest mistake. Probably a misnamed image file that I just didn't notice. Apologies for any confusion. I shall burn my face with acid in penitence.

[Libertas_P]

I don't know why Joe forgot to mention how easy terraforming Mars will be. As soon as we activate the alien reactor in the Pyramid mine, we'll be sorted.

[dominicjose]

0:27 "I was born at the heels of Apollo"
Confirmed... Joe is a Greek God

[jbirdmax]

4:06
“Don’t fool yourself. Being on Mars _IS_ being in space, just, with ground”.

Joe Scot. Aug. 19th 2019
Brilliant.

[omambianelson]

You spend 2yrs going to mars and back and then there's a conspiracy theory that you never went to Mars

[AbuvAvgJo]

"Also expect to be in quarantine for awhile." I wouldn't know how that feels

[kenzopoe]

When you mentioned Cargo Ships it made me think of the Star Trek episode "Conscience of the King" where a supply ship didn't show up to an off world colony & without enough food & water the Governor ordered that Half of their number be killed so that the other half could survive only for the supply ship to arrive a week later.

[MRD-Dev-Legacy]

I think Sci Fi movies got it right. The only way we can become a space faring species, is if we can replicate gravity on a space ship

[johncollado]

Hi Joe.... I think your next video will be on artificial gravity for space craft. That will solve one problem.

[artdonovandesign]

Joe, I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoy all of your science videos. Thanks for all the hard work and great presentations!

[harveyrichard]

Hello Joe - I simply love this video. I have been thinking the same for... decades. But you should also talk about the **psychological** issues ! Beyond the technical/technological problems, which are already hugely huge, even if they all get solved, I think that the psychological breakdowns of the crew (which technology will not likeky solve) will dwarf out all the technical problems combined, and it will do so very quickly, likely even before arriving at Mars.

[ugaladh]

I always assumed the first trip to Mars is going to be a one-way trip.

[Nefylym]

I just recently discovered your work and I am LOVING the way you manage to deliver mad knowledge with mad humor. Thank you sir!

[douglascutler]

So many can't seem to make the distinction between science fiction and science fact. The excellent dose of reality here is much needed.

[lucaszanon]

"But here is the thing about Mars...


...it's not Earth"

Damn. That's deep...

[dominicjose]

"Being on Mars, is being in space...with ground"
*Top ten most controversial statements*

[abstractburns]

That P Diddy joke hits different nowadays, 😂

[davesulphate]

That picture of "Mars" at the begining was infact a picture of the Moon :P
At 0:43 you can see its the same object except rotated 180 degrees.

[pieteruys]

Joe, you do a really good job with your presentations. Thank you.

[Randomness]

Just a thought, but instead of packing everything we need on the first trip lets send it there well in advance of us getting there.