The race to the stars is on, and it's a thrilling spectacle. From the blockbuster film "Project Hail Mary" to the upcoming Artemis II mission, space exploration captivates audiences with its promise of saving humanity from extinction. But beyond the Hollywood glamor and the thrill of the unknown, there's a deeper question: Are we really prepared to send humans into space, and what are the risks involved?
The central premise of "Project Hail Mary" is a familiar one: a long-shot mission to save humanity from an existential threat. While the details of the threat are unique, the hero's journey is a classic narrative that resonates with audiences. And it's not just in movies; the Artemis II mission, set to launch in April, will send astronauts around the Moon, deeper into space than ever before. This flyby mission is primarily about testing equipment for a lunar landing in 2028, but the broader plan is to establish a permanent base on the Moon.
NASA isn't alone in its lunar ambitions. Private space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing next-generation spacecraft, rovers, and drones to facilitate the American Moon base. And other nations, notably China, are working toward their own lunar outposts. These nations and corporations see the Moon as a stepping stone to more ambitious goals: a major human migration into deep space, including Mars.
But why do we need to send humans to Mars? The motivations are scientific, economic, and geopolitical. NASA's Mars rovers have had remarkable success, including the discovery of a potential biosignature that could be the best evidence yet of ancient microbial life on the planet. Robotic missions are more practical and cost-effective, but they lack the human touch that inspires and captivates audiences. The four members of the Artemis crew will captivate people worldwide, much like Ryan Gosling's character in "Project Hail Mary" seeks to save humanity.
However, there are significant risks associated with human space travel. While scientists have learned a lot about how space affects the body during the six decades of human spaceflight, there are still blind spots. Among them are the effects of deep-space radiation, which is substantial on the Moon and Mars due to the lack of magnetic fields. NASA researchers are conducting experiments on rodents using simulated galactic cosmic rays, which may impair cognitive abilities, but the actual effects on people are unknown.
Additionally, while medical researchers know that floating in a zero-g environment causes muscle atrophy and bone density loss, they know relatively little about how partial gravity affects muscles and bones. The Moon has one-sixth the gravity of Earth, and Mars has a little over one-third. The longest exposure to partial gravity was about three days for the 12 Apollo astronauts who walked on the Moon. Scientists can only speculate about the health effects of prolonged exposure to the partial gravity of the Moon or Mars.
In conclusion, while space exploration is ultimately about people doing difficult things, we must be clear about the risks that the people undertaking these missions will be assuming. The human touch is essential for inspiring and captivating audiences, but it's crucial to balance that with the practical considerations of robotic missions and the unknown health risks of human space travel.
