WHAT  MAN  HAS  TO  DO  TO  MARS

Since 1997 the Mars Global Surveyor has been orbiting Mars and Mars Odyssey since 2001, and they have sent back thousands of photographs of the surface.  They have also irradiated the surface with radar waves.  Any hydrogen in the soil makes the frequency of the waves change frequency in a characteristic way, thus by the presence of hydrogen, indicating the presence of water.  These orbiters have found that great areas have permafrost and ice in the soil.  The most promising places as far as water and ice are concerned, must be selected for the first landing sites where manned expeditions can touch down.  If the first manned expedition is to take place in 2018 when there will be a closest near approach in 15 years, the landing sites can already be stocked with all the tools, equipment, apparatus and machinery so that the men will have everything to hand when they land.

By drilling into the surface the ice and permafrost can be separated from the soil to yield pure water.  By making use of the synodic period of Mars which is 780 days, one can calculate exactly when the next close approaches will be made.  The 780 days are equal to 2 years and 50 days and when we add this to the date of the last close approach, 2003-08-27 we come to 2005-10-15.  This close approach is not as good as the 2003 one was, but it can be used to send materials, tools and equipment that will be required.  In 2005 Mars will, at closest approach, be 20% further from Earth than in 2003 and in 2007 it will be 55% further away.  The close approaches in 2010 and 2012 can not be used as they are too great.  The close approach of 2014 will be 40% greater than that of 2003 and that of 2016 will only be 8% greater.  Then in 2018 the 15 year closest approach will be close to that of 2003.  After that the next 15 year close approach will be in 2033.

Water that is obtained from the permafrost will not only be used for drinking but it will be electrolysed, allowing the oxygen to be set free into the atmosphere.  The hydrogen will be used to manufacture methane and ethane that will be used as fuels for the return journeys.  The carbon dioxide of the atmosphere will be made to combine with the Hydrogen obtained from the water to form methane:

CO₂  +  4H₂  è  CH₄  +  2H₂O

The methylene, from the methane can easily be stored.

The hydrogen obtained from this H₂O can be used to continue the process.

Besides producing methylene and ethylene, the Martian soil is very rich in iron oxide (FeO) -- that's what gives the planet its red appearance.  Sets of lenses can be set up to focus sunlight on to small spots, causing the sand to melt and splitting the iron (Fe) from the oxygen (O₂):

2FeO (heated)  è  2Fe + 02.

Such systems of lenses can be set all over where the iron oxide is richest.  In this way the percentage of the oxygen can be increased.  Make no mistake about it, it will take many years to produce a breatheable atmosphere.  The richer in oxygen red hæmatite also occurs in many places:  Fe₂O₃.  The iron which is liberated can be smelted and rolled into strips, sheets and rods.

This process is known as TERRAFORMATION i.e. making a habitable Planet out of one that is uninhabitable.

The diagram shows the routes to be taken by explorers from Earth at E1 to Mars at M1.  Two years later the two planets will be correctly aligned for the return journey from M2 to E2.  The dates indicate the times of close approach between Earth and Mars.  The next 15 year close approach is 2018 when the two planets will be closest together on 2018-08-10.

Jan Eben van Zyl