Real Martians Moment: Space Station Crew Talks Mars | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Astronauts on the International Space Station discuss the challenges and similarities between living in space and a potential mission to Mars.

Key Insights

• 🛟 The ISS serves as a useful analog for a Mars mission in terms of duration and life support systems.
• 🇲🇭 The psychology of being in space and on a Mars mission will differ due to the constant sunlight and isolation during the journey to Mars.
• 🤪 The inability to leave and communication delays with Earth will be significant challenges for a crew going to Mars.
• 👨‍🚀 The adaptability of the human brain allows astronauts to cope with the unique conditions and challenges of a long-duration space mission.

Transcript

Hey everyone, Amy Shira Tietel here at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and I am so excited that I'm about to talk to astronaut Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren on board the International Space Station we're gonna be talking that first year in space and the journey to Mars. [music] How do you think your time on board the ISS is a good a... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does living on the International Space Station prepare astronauts for a mission to Mars?

Living on the ISS simulates the duration and life support systems required for a Mars mission, providing valuable experience for astronauts.

Q: How does the psychology of being in space differ from a crew going to Mars?

In space, astronauts can see Earth and experience different time cycles, while a Mars crew will constantly be in sunlight and feel isolated.

Q: What will be the biggest personal challenge for a crew going to Mars?

The inability to leave and the absence of quick communication with people on Earth will make it challenging for the crew on a deep space mission.

Q: How adaptable is the human brain and psychology in the face of the challenges of a long-duration space mission?

The human brain is remarkably adaptable and can normalize to new conditions, allowing astronauts to cope with challenges such as delayed communication.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Astronauts on the International Space Station believe that their time on board serves as a good analog for the challenges of a mission to Mars, considering the duration of the trip and the life support system required.

• The psychology of being in space differs as astronauts constantly see the Earth from the ISS, while a crew going to Mars will face long stretches of being in sunlight and feeling isolated.

• The biggest personal challenge for a crew going to Mars is not being able to leave and experiencing a time delay in communication with people on Earth. Adaptability of the human brain is crucial in coping with these challenges.