A Romantic Trip to Mars

On January 5th, 2018, a couple will be sent on a record-breaking expedition covering 140 million miles to catch a glimpse of the fiery red planet, Mars. Funded by millionaire, American engineer and space-enthusiast, Dennis Tito, the one billion dollar round-trip is expected to take approximately 501 days, or 1.4 years. The chosen date and the corresponding alignment of the planets is responsible for this relatively short time span. Tito will put applicants through an extensive application process to select a man and woman who will remain amicable even through the severe circumstances of the journey.

The design of this unprecedented shuttle is centered around minimalism, as well as addressing health issues that could occur during this lengthy expedition. The system of the 600 cubic feet capsule is likely to be based off a simplified system that NASA uses for the International Space Station, in which urine, water and perspiration are recycled to generate oxygen and sustain supplies of drinkable water. One risk is losing muscle and bone mass, a natural reaction of a human body that is in space for an extended period of time. To combat this loss, the two astronauts would have to exercise daily, creating the need to include resistance machines within the shuttle. Another danger is the high levels of radiation due to solar flares from the sun and space, which would increase chances of cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and organ damage. With genomic analysis, protection can be devised through space suits, but more in-depth research is currently underway

However, one of the factors that makes this trip unique is how the capsule flies. Using a method known as "free return," gravity will usher along the capsule without the help of any principal rockets and is expected to break through the Earth's atmosphere at an unparalleled speed of 31,764 mph. Once the rocket is launched, there is no looking back, making this a risky mission that can possibly turn into a tragedy. Yet, according to Tito, the risks are well worth it. If the mission is successful, the trip will inspire future space explorations for the next generation, just as the first walk on the moon inspired ours.

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