A review of the first episode
http://www.spoilerfreemoviesleuth.com/2016/11/reviews-national-geographics-mars.html
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MovieChat Forums > Mars (2016) Discussion > A review of the first episode
I don't agree with one rocket flying from earth to mars without docking with an assembly of modules. they could have thrown in a docking in earth orbit and an undocking at mars. The whole design of the craft strikes me as wrong. In the 'capsule'; while it might seem to make sense to have a hatch in the middle, there is in reality most likely just a pilot and copilot (perhaps one other), and the rest of the folks can be merely passengers.
I suspect they'd go in orbit around Mars before attempting to land.
SPOILERS
I think, many things are going to be different.
I agree, a much better approach would be to have dockings, and a Mars orbiting platform should be an absolute requirement for manned missions.
Also, a robotically built (or at least prepared) landing site should be done before human landings.
With drone technology where it is today, I think it´s a mistake (acceptable only for dramatic purposes) that the astronauts would have to travel big distances to reach the Mars habitat. At the very least there should be drones to take supplies to the astronauts, whereever they might be. But all these issues become irrelevant if you have an orbiting platform and a well prepared langing site in advance.
Agreed.
They shouldn't have had to abandon their entire craft, which has apparently maintained them for at least 6 months within a few hours of landing.
Why couldn't they have lowered the vehicle to the ground and thus made it habitable on planet?
Also, what's with only having a few hours of air once they landed?
Why couldn't they have emptied out the wheeled vehicle of unnecessary weight before getting in it since they were over weight. Or made two trips.
I would have orbited GPS satellites before landing manned vehicles.
Drones with an oxygen supply would have been good! It's useful to note that drone's wings and/or engines would have to be much larger than on earth because of the thin atmosphere. But it could be done.
GPS is very important when you have to depend on an 18min delay to make sure you're on the right path.
Things we need to have in Mars before sending the first manned mission:
1.- An orbiting platform (station) capable of sustaining humans.
2.- Supplies on the ground at chosen landing site (sites). (this is shown in the series)
3.- Landing spots having been either constructed or at least prepared (flatened) by robots.
4.- Robotic or radio operated drones to transport supplies and/or persons. (An injured astronaut for example.)
This four things would lower risks greately for the first crews to go.
And GPS satellites encircling the planet.
shareTotally, absolutely indispensable.
In fact, I would like to add that possibly the best way to manage a colonization of Mars would be to first "terraform" the planet (with robots) so that it would have a more benign ambient for humans. This of course is a long term mission, (maybe even centuries long), in the mean time we might learn to take better care of this planet.