Some gravity fields can be as deadly as space radiation.
Once a space traveler leaves Earth’s gravity field, they will experience weightlessness for the six-month journey in deep space to Mars.
The body has to adjust to the changes. Hand-eye coordination, fine motor skill, balance, and simple mobility are a problem. Bones, muscles, and the heart are also impacted. The crew populates a Mars colony will need to work, live, and explore all three gravity fields during the journey.
The bottom line is that space is a hostile environment for humans. And the spacesuits and spacecraft need to be perfect to keep humans alive on Mars.
Air quality, temperature, and food supply all must be constantly monitored to make sure people are comfortable and healthy. Life in space is hard on the immune system.
“The important thing is that we establish Mars as a self-sustaining civilization,” Musk told CNET. He still has confidence that human innovation will get us to Mars and back safely.
On the other hand, Stirone told CNBC that “The cosmos may be breathtakingly beautiful, but it can also be deadly to human explorers.”
