Mars 03

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OPENING QUESTION:

#1) How long will a voyage to Mars typically take?

#2) Quickly list *at least* five things that we as humans absolutely, positively MUST have in order to survive on the voyage to and from Mars

#3) What is the significance of lava tubes on Mars to a possible human colony there?

#4) List 3 different reasons why finding water/ice on Mars is so incredibly important to a human colony on Mars?

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LEARNING GOAL: I will be able to explain how colonists will obtain and use energy on Mars

WORDS O' THE DAY:

Atmosphere
Lava Tubes
Watt (a measure of how we consume energy)

WORK O' THE DAY

Let's review some very general features of the planet Mars that we discussed last time:

Mars is about about 1 1/2 times farther away from the sun than the Earth, which means it gets roughly about one half the light that the Earth receives
Mars' Gravity is roughly 1/3 of Earth's Gravity
Mars' barely even has an atmosphere, in fact it's atmosphere is only about 1% that of Earth. That means your blood would boil if you walked on the Martian surface without a space suit
Martian Soil is toxic. For those of us who LOVE the movie The Martian, we have recently been very disappointed with the discovery of a chemical compound in the soil of Mars that makes growing things in Martian dirt WITHOUT treating it first... well... impossible

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Most of us take energy for granted... until we don't have it! Yesterday's storm was a great example. Over 200,000 residents of Washington state lost energy; and as of this morning, 100,000 folks still were without power (I'm glad to say my power came on yesterday!!!! YAY!)

So... with that in mind, let's have a conversation of where we get power here in the great state of Washington.

I'll have you go into groups for a few moments, I'd like you to brain storm the number of ways that your group thinks we get energy

Let's discuss

Now let's go into NEW groups and work to sort that energy in terms of where it comes from (with the top most item being the source that provides the MOST energy and the last item being the source of energy that provides the LEAST amount to Washington State.

This data is just a few years old, but I don't believe the percentages have changed very much since then (care to check?)

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With that in mind, make a list of the energy sources that will/might be available to provide energy to a Martian Colony

Take a few moments to look around your house for electrical items that you use every day. Most if not all of those products will show the "Watts" of energy required to run that product.

Please check:

Microwave oven (if you have one)
Hair drier
Space heater (if you have one)
Radio (might not be labeled but take a look)

Now please make a list of half a dozen (6) or so items that you just can't imagine living without and take a look online and see how much power they require:

I live out in a rural part of Port Orchard. When the wind blows (LIKE YESTERDAY!), I lose power (LIKE YESTERDAY... it's a thing.

Fortunately, a MOST Gracious & Humble colleague of mine was kind enough to let me borrow (and then buy) a 4000 watt generator:

Although it can max out at 4000 watts, it can only reliably produce 3500 watts for any length of time.

Let's say you're living in a little habitat in a lava tube on Mars. You're going to create an energy budget for your habitat that is the same that I have to use when the power goes out in the winter time at my house.

That is to say that you can have a total of 3500 Watts of energy available at any one time.

The heater needs to run all the time. My space heater is pretty good and it is rated at 1500 Watts... so I put that in the budget (below) for you. That means you only have 2000 Watts left in your energy budget.

Take a look around your room/home or search the interweb for the amount of power for various items you'd like to have in your 'room' on Mars.

Item	Use	Watts	Running Total
Electric Space Heater	Continually Heat Your Room	1500
Lights	To be able to See/Study/Read/Work
Microwave Oven	To Heat/Cook Snacks
Your Choice (1)
Your Choice (2)
Your Choice (3)
Your Choice (4)

Examine a few items around your house that you would like/need to have in your habitat on Mars and add them to the list (you can find the wattage listed on the back or bottom of all appliances)

Remember, your total can add up to more than 3500 watts, you just can't run everything at once. Also, you can't' turn off your heater. Ever.

The total of ALL the power you consume at any given time can ONLY be 3500 W.

Please copy and paste the table above into a Google Doc.

Then please list the combination of appliances (never adding up to more than 3500 watts please!) you will use during the day while you are relaxing. Be sure to include a running total.

Then please list the combination of appliances (never adding up to more than 3500 watts please!) you will use during the day while you are working/studying. Be sure to include a running total.

Then list the appliances you will use at night. Be sure to include a running total.

Assignment due next time:

Please work to provide a drawing (not a sketch please) that shows your 'room' on Mars. Keep in mind what we've discussed regarding physical, mental, emotional health as well as practical considerations like heat, energy and water. You are ONLY allowed 3000 watts of energy/electricity at any one time (and you HAVE to have a space heater present, although you don't have to run it all the time)

You are free to draw free-hand if you enjoy that, but please keep in mind this IS NOT A SKETCH.

Also please feel free to use any sort of online drawing program to create your 'room'.

I'll grade you on how practical your room will be.

Things to keep in mind:

Your "room" is inside a lava tube. It is warmer in the lava tube than surface of mars (-100 degrees F) but it is still plenty chilly in the lava tube (30 degrees or so, right around the freezing point of water)

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