Unique Environmental Dangers Faced by Astronauts during a Trip to Mars

Primary Environmental Causes of the Risks

Task:

It is common to be asked to provide bosses or higher ups with a concise report on a complicated subject, meaning you need to take a bunch of information and narrow it down to the most important points your boss needs to know. Also in the real world, higher ups rarely ask you to tell them something they already know, so remember to write as the expert on the topic and with full authority. This assignment is to submit a draft report based on the following scenario: You work for NASA (or Space X, or Mars One, etc) and your boss comes to you and says: “I’m going in front of Congress Monday morning to discuss the unique environmental dangers astronauts will face traveling to, orbiting, and returning from Mars. I need to know the causes and sources of the problems, what long and short term symptoms they cause, and what can be done about them. It's going to take us 10 months to get them there, they'll have to stay in orbit for six months, and it will also take them 10 months to get back. Also I need to know if it would be safer for them to travel during solar min or max and why? I want a five page report on my desk by midnight Sunday.” The good thing for you is, you have two weeks to produce this report, you never get that long in real life. So, prepare a paper that addresses the unique risks the environment of a long-duration trip to Mars (there are no surface landings) poses to astronauts

First, identify the primary environmental causes of the problems unique to this mission, discuss the symptoms of the problems, and then discuss countermeasures that might be taken. Assume it will take the astronauts 10 months to get there, that they will spend 6 months orbiting Mars (no landings), and it will take them 10 months to get back. Don't discuss environmental problems every astronaut faces like debris hits. Also, don't discuss technology problems like having enough air to breathe or food to eat. Only address the environmental challenges that increase the risk to humans due to the duration and distance of this trip. For this week, the minimum I need to see is an outline or draft that includes what the main topic for each paragraph will be. The more you give me though, the more I will be able to help you. I would suggest that you finish it as early as possible and notify me that you are ready for review. That way, you'll have my critique and can start writing the paper. The paper, which is due two Sundays from now, must follow the following format/layout- no exceptions!!! Page 1: Cover Sheet Pages 2-6: Essay Topic/Discussion (automatic 15 point deduction for going over).

Additionally, a minimum of twelve sources must be used to support your research, ten of which must be from other sources than the assigned readings. Remember, for graduate level work, there can be nothing cited in your bibliography that has not been specifically referenced/cited within your essay. (-10 points for anything less than 12 sources) File names should be in this format: LastName.FirstName.Assignment[#] Upload your responses via a single file using Microsoft Word or as a PDF Be sure to put your name and header information at the top of each page. This assignment requires extensive reading; you must clearly show synthesis of the information that you present. Up to two images may be used within your essay (no larger than 4 x 4 inches). Be sure to follow the APA Style Format for all figures and tables you include.