Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to How would we move Mars?

Mars has no magnetosphere
E.P. — (archived)

Hi Art -

The problem is that Mars does not have a molten core - without a magnetoshpere, even if you were to free the volatiles (once again)
by diverting an impactor, the radiation would be lethal - at least on the
surface.

In terms of manned exploration, therein lies the rub. What we're going to have to show is that there are no pathogens below Mars' surface before a manned Mars return mission is feasable.

Hence the need for long range rovers with autonomous robotic vision systems. Note carefully that the MERs have been given these to some extent by remote reprogramming, which programs made their recent longer travels feasable.

The other problem is Mars' low gravity. Witrhout a magnetosphere, a large part ot the volatiles freed will most likely be blown away by the solar wind, or simply outgas.

Now if I could only remember where I set my coffee cup...

E.P.

PS - This is a long, long way off. The immediate problem is the impact hazard, and CAPS is manned priority one, after ISS, which will test the necessary systems.

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