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DESTINATION MARS: MOCK SURVIVAL MISSIONS Video duration – 13: 00 Space exploration is preparing

DESTINATION MARS: MOCK SURVIVAL MISSIONS Video duration – 13: 00 Space exploration is preparing to head to Mars. NASA wants to send humans there by the 2030 s. For anyone brave enough to sign on, the flight itself could take from six to nine months. To survive would be a challenge for humans as Mars lacks running water and breathable air. In order to prepare for the eventuality, a number of mock Mars missions are underway to test human endurance. The CBC’s Paul Hunter went to see what they involve and what they are finding out. RELATED CONTENT • Destination Mars • News in Review, March 2004 – Mars Invasion: Exploring the Red Planet • News in Review, April 2004 – Next Floor Mars? The Space Elevator • Water on Mars: What Does It Mean? • Why Scientists Are Still Buzzing About Mars CREDITS News in Review is produced by CBC NEWS and curio. ca Guide Writer: Jennifer Watt Editor: Sean Dolan Video Host: Michael Serapio Senior Producer: Jordanna Lake Packaging Producer: Marie-Hélène Savard Associate Producer: Francine Laprotte Supervising Manager: Laraine Bone Visit www. curio. ca/newsinreview for an archive of all previous News In Review seasons. As a companion resource, go to www. cbc. ca/news for additional articles. CBC authorizes reproduction of material contained in this guide for educational purposes. Please identify source. News In Review is distributed by: curio. ca | CBC Media Solutions © 2018 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

VIDEO REVIEW curio. ca/newsinreview /3

VIDEO REVIEW curio. ca/newsinreview /3

BEFORE VIEWING Complete this Anticipation Guide before viewing the video. There are no right

BEFORE VIEWING Complete this Anticipation Guide before viewing the video. There are no right or wrong answers. Discuss your answers with a partner or in a small group prior to viewing the video. ANTICIPATION GUIDE Agree I like adventure. Somewhat agree Disagree I am curious about the solar system and the possibility of life on other planets. I am good at getting along with others. I don’t mind being in a confined space with a small group of people for a journey of up to nine months. I would like to travel in space. I think that space travel is important. Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview /4

WHILE VIEWING 1. The mock Mars mission asks participants to grow their own food

WHILE VIEWING 1. The mock Mars mission asks participants to grow their own food and conduct science experiments. TRUE or FALSE? 2. The crew of a Mars mission would have to live in a small space with five other people for up to three months. TRUE or FALSE? 3. Physical strength is more important than social ability for potential crew members of a Mars mission. TRUE or FALSE? 4. Which of the following items would not be essential for a Mars mission? a) Fuel b) Food and water c) Weapons d) A rocket for the return flight 5. How much money would a mission to Mars cost? a) $1 million b) $10 million c) Billions of dollars Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview /5

TALK PROMPTS NEW curio. ca/newsinreview /6

TALK PROMPTS NEW curio. ca/newsinreview /6

TALK PROMPTS Consider pausing the video and giving students the opportunity to talk to

TALK PROMPTS Consider pausing the video and giving students the opportunity to talk to an elbow partner for a few minutes or use these questions as part of a class discussion. 1 Pause the video at 00: 00 – 02: 29 (after Brian Ramos’ statement). 2 Pause the video at 02: 30 – 05: 31 (after Martha Lenio’s statement) • What qualities do you think you would have to be a teammate on a mission to Mars? • How would you pick and support a crew on a 3 year mission to Mars? 3 Pause the video at 05: 32 – 10: 15 (after Elton Musk’s speech) • What do you think would be an effective way to get people excited and supportive of Mars exploration? Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview /7

AFTER VIEWING Choose one of the following activities. 1. Create an advertisement for people

AFTER VIEWING Choose one of the following activities. 1. Create an advertisement for people interested in going to Mars. State three or four important facts regarding the mission, and state three or four important qualities and qualifications you think are essential for someone to become an astronaut destined for Mars. – OR – 2. Conduct research to answer the question: Are we capable of supporting life on Mars? You might want to begin your research with these two short videos: • www. curio. ca/en/video/why-scientists-are-still-buzzing-about-mars-7430/ • www. cbc. ca/player/play/822080579698 Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview /8

It's definitely not a pipedream…. The pieces are out on the table. It's putting

It's definitely not a pipedream…. The pieces are out on the table. It's putting that puzzle together. That will happen relatively soon, I believe. – Joshua Ehrlich, Mission Biological Specialist, Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI -SEAS)

THE STORY ACTIVITY Review the three written selections on the challenges associated with travelling

THE STORY ACTIVITY Review the three written selections on the challenges associated with travelling to Mars: • Cosmic radiation (pp. 11 -12) • Going “space crazy” (pp. 13 -14) • Protecting planets from contamination (p. 15) Once you’ve read each selection, answer the following questions: 1. What is the main problem facing a Mars mission identified in the passage? 2. How are scientists attempting to solve the problem? 3. Do you think this problem will prevent missions to Mars? Why or why not? 4. What other questions do you have regarding the challenge presented? Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview / 10

COSMIC RADIATION Being an astronaut is an exciting but risky job. One risk that

COSMIC RADIATION Being an astronaut is an exciting but risky job. One risk that you may not have known about is the impact of cosmic radiation on the health of astronauts. Once a person ventures beyond the magnetosphere, bad things can happen. This is because the Earth has a strong magnetosphere: a vast cometshaped bubble that shields our planet and our bodies from solar and cosmic particle radiation. Once you move beyond the magnetosphere, cosmic radiation exposure increases. Research has shown that exposure to cosmic radiation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer later in life. So far, most experienced astronauts have led healthy lives and many who traveled in space in the late 1960 s and early 1970 s died of old age, not of heart disease or cancer. Scientists say that might be because they did not come into contact Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions Image: ESA/SSA with intense amounts of radiation. However, going to Mars may be different story. One way to deal with a radiation spike while travelling curio. ca/newsinreview / 11

to Mars seems too simple. An alarm could be set up on the spacecraft

to Mars seems too simple. An alarm could be set up on the spacecraft to warn the astronauts of dangerous levels of cosmic radiation. The astronauts could simply empty closets of equipment, climb inside and pile as much stuff as possible onto themselves. Scientists claim that the exposure level could drop by half if they take this simple step. NASA is also developing more complex ways to improve shielding in the spacecraft itself and are considering if magnetic force fields could be formed around ships. Astronauts know about the risks of cosmic radiation and are still choosing to go on space flights. Back in 1970, NASA implemented a career limit on exposure to radiation for its astronauts. Scientists continue to think of ways to lessen the risks of cosmic radiation. What is NASA? NASA is the acronym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA is an independent agency of the U. S. federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Is the risk to human life worth the benefits of planet exploration? What do you think? Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview / 12

GOING “SPACE CRAZY” A two year journey to Mars will have its share of

GOING “SPACE CRAZY” A two year journey to Mars will have its share of dangers: cosmic rays, ship malfunctions or a meteor hit to name a few. But one danger comes from within the minds of the astronauts themselves and has everything to do with living in the confined space of a spacecraft. Astronauts may feel claustrophobic due to the small size of their vessel. They will also be unable to communicate with their families or NASA in real-time since radio waves will be bouncing back and forth, delaying transmissions by up to 45 minutes later. How can space exploration prepare someone for the problem of claustrophobia, fear and loneliness? The International Space Station has a medical kit packed with drugs to calm overly anxious people, sedatives to put them to sleep, and physical restraints in the (worst case) scenario Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions where someone becomes violent and panics. But is this enough to guarantee a smooth flight? To combat this potential problem, space scientists have created realistic mission curio. ca/newsinreview / 13

simulations in order to study the effects of isolation, loneliness and confinement so they

simulations in order to study the effects of isolation, loneliness and confinement so they can see what might happen. The results from these simulations show that all crews end up fighting, but the exact cause of the conflicts are different every time. There seems to be a general recipe for success though: having a good match between the crew members’ personalities, especially in their leadership and followership styles. While some people like everyone to work together, some prefer a strong leader to follow. Crews should be matched according to these preferences. NASA is also exploring facial expression recognition for the astronauts as well movement and voice tracking. Alerts could be sent to mission control or to the crew leader if these surveillance technologies pick up angry voices or if some crew members avoid others or behave erratically. It seems Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions that one of the best solutions is to put a collection of Mars astronauts through a thorough test drive on Earth prior to embarking on a mission. It might be the best way to find out if anyone might go “space crazy. ” How do you think you would cope on a space mission? curio. ca/newsinreview / 14

PROTECTING PLANETS FROM CONTAMINATION One of the concerns that space scientists have about travelling

PROTECTING PLANETS FROM CONTAMINATION One of the concerns that space scientists have about travelling to other planets has to do with germs and microorganisms that do not exist on Earth. We might mistakenly transport those microorganisms back to Earth. That might lead to unforeseen and deadly results. Scientists whose specialty is planetary protection are busy creating guidelines for missions to planets – like Mars - that may support life. As humans, we have microbes all over us. Skin cells are full of microbial communities and, every time we touch something, we’re leave some type of bacteria. What might happen when human bacteria is brought to a planet like Mars? Similarly, when astronauts traverse the surface of Mars, they will stir up dust. This dust will likely cling to their spacesuits so it is important that they find a way to decontaminate their suits before getting back on the Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions spacecraft. After all, Martian life may have characteristics that we have not ever encountered on Earth and we don’t want to bring potential problems back to Earth in the form of foreign bacteria. Some other potential issues would be the potential melting of Mars ice by a spacecraft as it lands and blasts off. What would be the exact impact of changing the temperature of the surface of even a small piece of Mars? We don’t know. curio. ca/newsinreview / 15

TO CONSIDER Chris Impey, an astronomy professor at the University of Arizona, believes that

TO CONSIDER Chris Impey, an astronomy professor at the University of Arizona, believes that if a group of humans were to live on Mars for centuries with little or no contact with Earth, they would likely evolve, eventually becoming a different species. Because Mars has less gravity, humans would slowly grow taller and their cardiovascular systems would become weaker. They would also have less body hair because they would have to stay indoors or wear space suits. In other words, they wouldn’t need protection from the elements. Their controlled diet might also result in smaller teeth. This theory assumes that humans would be able to reproduce in Mars’s gravity. Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview / 16

ACTIVITY: Asking Questions Are you good at asking different types of questions from different

ACTIVITY: Asking Questions Are you good at asking different types of questions from different perspectives and for different purposes? The following activity will help you strengthen your questioning skills based on visuals of the Mars mission. PART 1: Working on your own 1. Consider the images of the proposed Mars mission on the following pages, or choose your own alternate images from the sites provided. 2. Write as many questions as you can about the Mars mission on separate post-its. 3. Consider your questions and think of ways they might be grouped based on similarities. Photo: NASA Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview / 17

IMAGE #1: Asking Questions Image: NASA Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview /

IMAGE #1: Asking Questions Image: NASA Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview / 18

IMAGE #2: Asking Questions Also, on the NASA site you can view photographs from

IMAGE #2: Asking Questions Also, on the NASA site you can view photographs from previous and current robotic Mars explorations: www. nasa. gov/mission_pages/ mars/images/index. html Image: NASA Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions The Mars One Mission site has simulated photos of a Mars outpost which are good for promoting questions. Search “Mars One Mission” + images to see more simulation drawings. www. mars-one. com/mission/ simulation-outpost curio. ca/newsinreview / 19

PART 2 – Asking Questions: Working with a partner or small group Discuss your

PART 2 – Asking Questions: Working with a partner or small group Discuss your questions and categories. After that initial discussion, consider the following questions. 1. Which questions do you most wish to answer? Why? 2. Where could you find the answers? 3. Are some of these questions easier to answer than others? Why? 4. What did you learn from listening to each other’s questions? What questions were the same? Which ones were different? Photo: ESA/SSA 5. Think about other categories of questions that you might not have considered — e. g. economic, mathematical, ethical, health and wellness, spiritual. Create two new questions. 6. How could you get better at asking questions? Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview / 20

SOURCES Bartels, Meghan. (August 1, 2018). If we ever want to walk on Mars,

SOURCES Bartels, Meghan. (August 1, 2018). If we ever want to walk on Mars, we’d better get serious about planetary protection. Space. com. Retrieved from: www. space. com/41345 -planetary-protection-standards-for-human-spaceflight. html Powell, Corey S. (July 30, 2018). Going to Mars will involve all sorts of risks. Going bonkers might be the biggest. NBC News. Retrieved from: www. nbcnews. com/mach/science/going-mars-will-involve-all-sorts-risks-going-bonkers-might-ncna 895261 Sullivan, Brian K. (July 26, 2018). The cosmic radiation forecast could be bad for a human Mars Mission. Bloomberg Business Week. Retrieved from: www. bloomberg. com/news/features/2018 -07 -26/cosmic-radiation-forecast-could-be-bad-for-a-human-marsmission Destination Mars: Mock Survival Missions curio. ca/newsinreview / 21