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Martian
Biosphere
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A Biosphere is a structure which is self-contained and self-renewing, so that it provides air, food and water to the inhabitants continuously for years.
Scientists have been trying to build one that works properly for several years. They keep having to cheat because they run out of oxygen or food.
Biosphere II was an attempt in America in 1992 to make one work. It wasn't completely successful.
This website shows how they designed their biosphere. More details!
Mars is currently uninhabitable: it has no oxygen, most of its thin atmosphere is carbon dioxide, it is cold (minus 20oC) and has no life. This link suggests ways of making the whole planet habitable.
| Specialism | What they Do |
| Nutritionist/Medic | Ensure everyone stays healthy |
| Chemist/Gas Engineer | Make sure that all the right chemicals are available (eg Oxygen!) |
| Physicist/Engineer | Supply the Biosphere with energy and walls, floor, etc |
| Biologist/Gardener | Grow the plants that keep everyone alive |
| Marsologist | Find out what everyone needs and supply them with resources from Mars |
You have to decide what diet everyone needs. How much food do people need to eat every day? Which food groups? Can your Biosphere provide meat? What about tofu or soya?
What resources will you require? What about a sickbay? Medicines? How much living space will the team need each? What about working areas? How will you cook food?
You have a very big problem: the atmosphere people need to breathe. The Martian atmosphere isn't breathable. Which gases do people need and how much of them? How much oxygen will each person use up every day? How many plants will be needed to supply the oxygen? Which chemicals will you need to bring from earth? Which chemicals (fertilisers) will you rplants need? Where will you get them from? What equipment will you need to make other chemicals? How much space do you need? Which chemicals will be produced by living things that need to be removed from the air?
You have to be able to build the Biosphere. How big will it be? How much stuff will you need from Earth? How much will you be able to get from Mars? How strong do the walls need to be? What equipment will you need to actually build the Biosphere? How will you make sure that the air circulates?
Energy sources: Mars has no fossil fuels and burning things will use up Oxygen anyway. Where will you get energy from? How much space will your power plant occupy? Will it be inside the Biosphere or can it work outside? How will you service it? How will you heat the Biosphere?
What sort of initial landing craft will you need for people to live in until your Biosphere is ready?
Your job is to grow the plants needed for food and to produce Oxygen. Which plants will you use and why? How many? How big a garden do you need? If you have plants which flower, you will also need insects...what problems will that cause? How much carbon dioxide will your plants need? Would it be best to have a completely separate area or to have everyone living inside your garden? How long will it take for your plants to grow enough? How long will the Chemists need to be providing oxygen for? What temperature do your plants need?
Your main role is to provide resources for the other team members. What do they need? Which ones can be supplied by Mars (and how?) and which will need to be brought from Earth? How long will it take to provide enough resources to build the Biosphere and therefore how long must the initial landing craft support the team for?