Mission Impossible? The Wild Challenges of Getting to Mars!
Discover what makes a trip to Mars the ultimate test of human ingenuity and courage
Buckle up for an incredible journey exploring the mind-blowing challenges astronauts face on their way to Mars and the amazing solutions scientists are cooking up!
Overview
Imagine being stuck in a tiny room with the same people for almost three years, with no fresh air, no pizza delivery, and your family is millions of miles away! That's just the beginning of what Mars astronauts will face. Talking about Mars missions helps kids understand problem-solving, teamwork, and how humans push boundaries. Plus, it's a perfect way to explore science, psychology, and engineering all at once while dreaming about humanity's next giant leap.
Understand in 30 Seconds
Get up to speed quickly
- It's Really, Really Far: Mars is about 140 million miles away – that's like driving around Earth's equator 5,600 times! The trip takes 6-9 months each way.
- Space Wants to Kill You: Deadly radiation, no air, extreme cold, and tiny meteorites constantly threaten astronauts. It's like the ultimate hostile environment.
- Your Body Goes Weird: In zero gravity, bones get weak, muscles shrink, and your face gets puffy because blood floats up instead of down.
- No Quick Help Available: If something breaks or someone gets sick, there's no calling 911 or running to the store. You fix it yourself or you're in trouble.
Real Life Scenario
Situations you can relate to
Think about the longest car trip you've ever taken with your family. Now imagine that trip lasting almost three years, and you can't pull over, can't get out, and can't even call your friends. That's what astronauts face going to Mars! Plus, imagine if during that road trip, your car was constantly being hit by invisible rays that could make you sick, your legs started getting weak because you couldn't walk normally, and if the air conditioning broke, you couldn't just roll down the windows. How would your family work together to stay happy and healthy? What games would you play? How would you handle arguments in such a tiny space?
Role Play
Spark a conversation with “what if” scenarios
What if you had to grow all your own food in a closet-sized space for three years?
- Role play: Try growing herbs or sprouts in your kitchen using only artificial light. Discuss what foods would be most important and how you'd make meals interesting with limited ingredients.
What if every message to Earth took 20 minutes to arrive, and another 20 minutes to get a response?
- Role play: Practice this delay by writing notes back and forth, waiting 40 minutes between each exchange. Try solving a problem or sharing exciting news this way!
What if you were the mission doctor and had to treat a broken bone with only supplies you could carry in two suitcases?
- Role play: Create a 'space medical kit' using household items. Discuss what medical emergencies would be most dangerous and how to prevent them.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions people want to know
Why can't we just make the trip to Mars faster?
We need huge amounts of fuel to go faster, and that fuel weighs a lot! Plus, faster trips require more energy to slow down when we arrive. Scientists are working on new engine types like ion drives and nuclear rockets.
How do astronauts not go crazy being stuck together so long?
They train for years learning to work as a team, practice conflict resolution, and have scheduled private time. They also bring hobbies, games, and ways to connect with Earth.
What happens if someone gets really sick on the way to Mars?
Astronauts train in basic medical procedures, and they'll have advanced medical equipment. For serious emergencies, doctors on Earth help via video calls, even with the communication delay.
Examples in the Wild
See how this works day to day
- NASA's HERA mission simulates Mars isolation by locking volunteers in a small habitat for months to study psychological effects (NASA Human Research Program)
- The Mars Desert Research Station in Utah lets scientists practice living like Mars astronauts in a realistic environment (Mars Society)
- SpaceX is developing the Starship specifically designed to carry large crews and cargo to Mars with reusable technology (SpaceX)
- The International Space Station studies how astronauts' bodies change during long-term spaceflight to prepare for Mars missions (NASA ISS Research)
In Summary
What you should know before you start
- Mars missions face four major challenge areas: physical health, mental health, technical problems, and resource management
- The journey takes 6-9 months each way, with astronauts facing radiation, bone loss, and isolation
- Scientists are developing amazing solutions like growing food in space, advanced life support systems, and better spacecraft shielding
- Success depends on incredible teamwork, problem-solving skills, and backup plans for when things go wrong
Pro-tip for Parents
You got this!
If your child gets overwhelmed by all the dangers, focus on the amazing human ingenuity solving these problems! Frame challenges as puzzles to solve rather than scary obstacles. Ask 'How would you solve this?' instead of dwelling on 'What could go wrong?' This builds problem-solving confidence and optimism about human capability.
Keep an Eye Out For
Find these examples in everyday life
- NASA Artemis moon missions practicing techniques for Mars
- News about new space technologies like nuclear rockets or better radiation shielding
- Stories about astronauts on the International Space Station and their daily challenges
Explore Beyond
Look up these related research topics
- How do we terraform planets to make them livable?
- What would it be like to live in a Mars colony?
- How do rockets work and why is space travel so difficult?