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Oldfart1939

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Registered: 2016-11-26

Posts: 2,452

Re: No Huamans to Mars anytime soon... - Space.com article re: future of Mars

I recall when Nixon pulled the plug on the remaining Apollo Missions. I was highly pissed off because we were truly on a reasonable trajectory towards our first Mars missions with Von Braun in charge.
There were several features that most commenters overlook, beyond the rising costs of the Vietnam war, but it was driven by Nixon's personal animus towards John Kennedy. JFK's name will be forever remembered for his famous speech about putting man on the moon by "the end of the decade." Nixon didn't want to keep funding a Kennedy & Johnson space program
As GW points out, the initial Mars probes hadn't yet identified the Solar Flare hazard, nor was there any idea about the long-term effects of microgravity on human biology.
We're currently watching an increasingly incompetent NASA complaining about schedule management of retrieval of Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams, as Sunni's health has become a MAJOR issue. She needs to be brought back NOW, not in another 3 months! The NASA scientists are political hacks at this juncture. Her drastic weight loss is gonna kill her if they don't bring her down NOW!

RobertDyck

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From: Winnipeg, Canada

Registered: 2002-08-20

Posts: 7,936

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Re: No Huamans to Mars anytime soon... - Space.com article re: future of Mars

GW Johnson: Documents on the NASA technical report server from 1968 talk about electrolysis of water to generate oxygen, using a semipermeable membrane for electrolysis in zero-G, silver oxide as a regenerable CO2 sorbet, and using a Sabatier reactor to combine H2 and CO2 to form H2O and methane. I was surprised they were already looking at Sabatier for life support in 1968.

However, I posted years ago a way to use Apollo hardware for a Manned flyby of Mars. It used a Skylab workshop as the mission module. It has enough room for non-recycling life support.

tahanson43206

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Registered: 2018-04-27

Posts: 19,450

Re: No Huamans to Mars anytime soon... - Space.com article re: future of Mars

For Oldfart1939 re #26

Taking your advice to bring Sunni Williams down "now", what is the availability of emergency vehicles at the ISS?

I don't know as I am typing ahead of looking, so hopefully other NewMars members will post information about the status of emergency equipment there.

My understanding (based only on bits of information picked up here and there) is that there is always enough emergency equipment at the ISS to enable everyone to escape if an order is given to abandon the station.

An early evacuation for Sunni would require that additional personnel come down as well, since the emergency equipment would then be insufficient to cover the remaining crew.

That said, perhaps there is a solution that allows for a minimal gap of time while the station is short it's normal complement.

It seems to me this scenario is going to become increasingly common as humans venture further into space.

(th)

RobertDyck

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From: Winnipeg, Canada

Registered: 2002-08-20

Posts: 7,936

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Re: No Huamans to Mars anytime soon... - Space.com article re: future of Mars

Shall I be facetious? MOOSE!

GW Johnson

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From: McGregor, Texas USA

Registered: 2011-12-04

Posts: 5,806

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Re: No Huamans to Mars anytime soon... - Space.com article re: future of Mars

I do not understand part of the recent posts here.  What is the problem with Sunni Williams?

GW

---

GW Johnson
McGregor,  Texas

"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew,  especially one dead from a bad management decision"

tahanson43206

Moderator

Registered: 2018-04-27

Posts: 19,450

Re: No Huamans to Mars anytime soon... - Space.com article re: future of Mars

For GW Johnson re #30

It appears that nothing is wrong with Sunni Williams.  She has lost weight while (apparently) adding muscle mass.  This report from fox35orlando.com appears to address the rumors that Oldfart1939 may have encountered...

Astronaut Suni Williams addresses health rumors from space
By FOX 35 Digital StaffUpdated  November 15, 2024 8:43pm ESTNASAFOX 35 Orlando

Suni Williams addresses health rumors from space
Astronaut Suni Williams is putting health rumors to rest after photos of her during her mission aboard the International Space Station sparked concern.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Astronaut Suni Williams is putting health rumors to rest after photos of her during her mission aboard the International Space Station sparked concern.

Some viewers noted that Williams appeared underweight, but NASA has confirmed that astronauts undergo routine health checks while in space. 

Williams, currently spending eight months aboard the ISS as part of the Starliner mission, explained that it's common for astronauts to experience changes in their appearance during extended space travel. She pointed out that fluid redistribution in the body can make their heads appear larger over time. 

In response to rumors about her weight loss, Williams reassured the public, saying, "I’m actually right at the amount," referencing her health and fitness. She mentioned that while weight lifting isn’t part of her usual routine, it’s become a significant aspect of her exercise regimen aboard the station. "My thighs are a little bit bigger. My butt is a little bit bigger," Williams said, adding that squats are a key part of her workouts. 

NASA's long-duration missions, like the current one, are crucial for studying how space affects the human body. According to the Baylor College of Medicine's Center for Space Medicine, astronauts face challenges such as eye swelling, radiation exposure, and skin irritations due to microbial growth. 

To monitor and address these concerns, astronauts are closely monitored by NASA’s medical team. The agency reports that all crew members on the ISS are currently in good health.

(th)