Question about space suits on Mars - for YA novel

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of a human visiting the surface of Mars for a brief period with only a helmet providing oxygen, rather than a full space suit. Participants explore the implications of Mars' atmospheric conditions, including pressure and temperature, on human survival and comfort during such a visit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether a human could survive on Mars for a couple of minutes with just a helmet and oxygen, noting that humans would not survive long under such conditions.
  • Concerns are raised about the cold temperatures on Mars, with some noting that it can reach around -100°F, while others mention that there are warmer periods.
  • One participant suggests that while survival might be possible, it would be uncomfortable and potentially harmful due to decompression effects and the risk of bodily swelling and bruising.
  • Another participant discusses the necessary oxygen pressure for breathing, indicating that the atmospheric pressure on Mars is significantly lower than what is needed for human survival.
  • There are mentions of the potential for blood boiling and the bends due to low pressure, with suggestions for precautions like tightening a belt around the diaphragm.
  • Some participants propose that if advanced technology allows for quick visits to Mars, then the need for cumbersome space suits could be mitigated.
  • Discussion includes references to historical astronaut experiences and alternative suit designs, such as 'skin suits' that rely on fabric elasticity rather than pressurization.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the feasibility and safety of visiting Mars with minimal protective gear. There is no consensus on whether such a visit would be survivable or advisable.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various assumptions about technology, atmospheric conditions, and human physiology that remain unresolved. The discussion reflects a range of perspectives on the implications of Mars' environment on human safety.

Elon303
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Hi!

I have a question about space suits on Mars. I've done a google search and find conflicting information.

In my YA novel the protagonist makes a quick stop on Mars (just for a couple of minutes).

I wonder if it's possible for a human to visit Mars surface for a couple of minutes with just a helmet (oxygen) and not a full space suit? I've heard that "humans would not survive long under such conditions". But my question is could we survive a couple of minutes in that atmospheric pressure with oxygen provided?

Thanks
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
You should look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Mars It can get mighty cold there. (Average low around -100F)
Yes but they also have "summers" there where temperatures are around 20 degrees celsius at certain places, so that won't be a problem.
 
Elon303 said:
I wonder if it's possible for a human to visit Mars surface for a couple of minutes with just a helmet (oxygen) and not a full space suit? I've heard that "humans would not survive long under such conditions". But my question is could we survive a couple of minutes in that atmospheric pressure with oxygen provided?

Could you survive? Probably. Would it be comfortable? No. Would it be harmful? Probably. You'd be subject to decompression effects and your body would swell since you have gases dissolved inside your body that exert an outwards pressure, though your skin is tough enough not to rupture. Any orifices or soft tissue exposed to the low pressure would probably bruise and bleed as blood vessels rupture under the pressure difference. It wouldn't be pretty and it wouldn't be fun.

Vanadium 50 said:
You should look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Mars It can get mighty cold there. (Average low around -100F)

Hmmm. I wonder how long it would take you to freeze in such a low-density atmosphere.
 
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Drakkith said:
Hmmm. I wonder how long it would take you to freeze in such a low-density atmosphere.

The rest of your life. :wink:
 
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If your setting has advanced enough technology that it’s perfectly reasonable to drop by Mars for a few minutes then spacesuits that are quick and easy to put on aren’t going to break it.
 
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Elon303 said:
I wonder if it's possible for a human to visit Mars surface for a couple of minutes with just a helmet (oxygen) and not a full space suit?
According to this site we need around 10-13kPa oxygen pressure present (for untrained human) to be able to breathe (with just barely acceptable inconveniences, on short term). That's around half of the (oxygen) pressure at sea level - or oxygen pressure at 3000-5500m altitude. Around 6kPa it would be like standing on the top of Mt. Everest, without any acclimatization...

On the Mars, the atmospheric pressure is 600Pa (according to Wiki, linked precviously). Even if you saturate the breathing gas with oxygen it would be about the tenth of the amount available on the Mt. Everest. I would say, it is just like being without any oxygen at all. Loss of conscience within a minute or two.
And that's just breathing. I can't account for boiling.
 
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After a couple tens of seconds, you'd be a walking hickey. I don't think that a few minutes would cause problems with blood boiling - skin isn't that elastic - but the bends could be an issue. You'd probably want to gird your loins.

Girdling would be a good idea, also : tighten a belt around your diaphragm so you can deflate your lungs.

But, let's ask NASA
 
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  • #10
Ryan_m_b said:
If your setting has advanced enough technology that it’s perfectly reasonable to drop by Mars for a few minutes then spacesuits that are quick and easy to put on aren’t going to break it.
Rive said:
According to this site we need around 10-13kPa oxygen pressure present (for untrained human) to be able to breathe (with just barely acceptable inconveniences, on short term). That's around half of the (oxygen) pressure at sea level - or oxygen pressure at 3000-5500m altitude. Around 6kPa it would be like standing on the top of Mt. Everest, without any acclimatization...

On the Mars, the atmospheric pressure is 600Pa (according to Wiki, linked precviously). Even if you saturate the breathing gas with oxygen it would be about the tenth of the amount available on the Mt. Everest. I would say, it is just like being without any oxygen at all. Loss of conscience within a minute or two.
And that's just breathing. I can't account for boiling.
hmmm27 said:
After a couple tens of seconds, you'd be a walking hickey. I don't think that a few minutes would cause problems with blood boiling - skin isn't that elastic - but the bends could be an issue. You'd probably want to gird your loins.

Girdling would be a good idea, also : tighten a belt around your diaphragm so you can deflate your lungs.

But, let's ask NASA
The answer seems to be: you need a space suit.

Thanks everybody!
 
  • #11
The Russian astronaut Leonov had to let a lot of air out of his space suit in order to fit back in through the airlock on his spacecraft . It would be interesting to know what pressure he got down to.
 
  • #12
Rather than a multi-layered Apollo suit with lunar overall, or a jointed rigid suit, you may do better with a 'skin suit' which clenches everything snug, plus a heavily quilted / heated overall, which keeps you warm and offers some protection against sand etc...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_activity_suit
 
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  • #13
Nik_2213 said:
Rather than a multi-layered Apollo suit with lunar overall, or a jointed rigid suit, you may do better with a 'skin suit' which clenches everything snug, plus a heavily quilted / heated overall, which keeps you warm and offers some protection against sand etc...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_activity_suit
It needs to be pressurized, though. The difficulty with spacesuits has always been trying to pressurize them without making them too rigid to move in.
 
  • #14
Russ, please have another look at my link.
Most of the 'Skin Suit' is not pressurised, it relies on the elasticity of the porous fabric to keep the occupant intact.
No flexibility issues...
 

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