Running Head: MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

Rachel Barton
Mission to Mars: Water Resources
Salt Lake Community College

Abstract

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

The year is 2026, 19 Project Managers cross trained in multiple areas of expertise are selected for
a potential life mission. This Mission will take them on an approximate 6 month (possibly one way) trip
to start the colonization of Mars. This mission will be one of man kinds most complex orchestrated
systems ever achieved since the landing on the moon.
This research paper is based on a theoretical mission to mars in which I am one (1) of the 19
Project Managers selected. My main area of expertise is Water Resources. This includes researching the
availability of water on Mars and in space, research for water harvesting (Mining), recycling, and the
needs for 18 colonists on Mars. One (1) Project Manager will be based on Earth in charge of the vessels
and transportation logistics. Other resources that water might serve the colonists of Mars will be
addressed as well; such as oxygen, energy, hygiene infrastructure, and agriculture irrigation.
There are four (4) vessels planned to launch to the Martian planet. The first pay load will deliver
a communication highway of satellites on the way to mars. This is to cut delay in communication
transactions from Earth. It will also be sent with robotics and supplies to start the settlement ahead of the
second (2nd) and third (3rd) vessels containing colonists (us). The forth (4 th) payload is for re-supply and
could potentially be a relief vessel for new specialists dependent on the energy resources available for
return ships to Earth.
As we embark on the ever advancing technological era, a manned mission to Mars is becoming a
reality. It is no longer a dream but an actual possibility that Mars could be a new home for man.

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

Table of Contents
Introduction..............4
Research Plan..4
Research
Water Resources in Space and on Mars .4
Processing and Storage .........6
Necessities/ Rationing of Water ....8
Water Impacts/ Resources Beyond Raw Form ..9
Discussion of Results...9
Conclusion..10
References..11
Appendix13

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION
I was assigned to research water resources on Mars. A manned mission to Mars would be a
complex system in which many minds and specialists would need to participate in order to make a
mission like this possible. Not only would water be a basic human necessity but could also serve as a
form of energy, oxygen, and fuel. Water would also impact agriculture, hygiene and infrastructure.
I will research the available water resources on Mars and in space. I will include processes
currently in use by NASA and the International Space Station (ISS). I will then provide research on how
to process water for consumption and for reserve storage.
Water is a main building block for life. Without it the colonists will not survive. I will research
human needs and rationing of water. Control of this commodity could mean life or death if not managed
appropriately.
Finally I will provide research on other water uses; such as hydrogen for fuel and energy, oxygen
refinement, agriculture for food, and also infrastructural (sewage and hygiene.)
This research contains three sections: (a) Research Plan, (b) Results Discussion, and (c)
Conclusion.
RESEARCH PLAN
Phase 1: Available Water Resources
Phase 2: Processing and Storage
Phase 3: Necessities/ Rationing of Water
Phase 4: Water Impacts/ Resources beyond Raw Form
Phase 1: Available Water Resources_________________________________________________________
Before looking into where water will be located I will first explain what is already being used by
NASA. The international space station (ISS) is already equipped with means for harvesting and recycling water.
NASA (2011) explains they use a Russian water processor that is in orbit with the ISS. It collects water from the
humidity and air. They also are using the resources they brought with them, including the lab animals and

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

themselves. NASA explains that although it may sound disgusting to harvest the fluids produced by its
astronauts and lab animals its actually cleaner than what we drink on earth.
By utilizing the technology already available by recycling water from the colonists and animals going
on this mission we will reduce the amount of space and weight of our vessels by not needing to bring as much
water on this long journey.
On Mars we will need to recycle our available space water from the colonists and orbiting post above.
However Marybeth Edeen, deputy assistant manager of environmental control and life support at NASA's
Johnson Space Center states; We will always need resupply, because none of the water reprocessing
technology that is available right now for space flight ... is 100 percent efficient. So there's always some
minimal loss (NASA, 2011).
Colonists will need to source other means of water on Mars. According to the University of
Copenhagen (2015) Mars has tons of ice not only on its distinct

ice caps.

The blue highlights shown in fig. 1. reveals ice in the northern

and

southern hemispheres. Thanks to the Mars Reconnaissance

Orbiter, radar has confirmed the ice is in fact water and
not CO2. It has since been calculated that there is
approximately enough ice on Mars that could cover the
entirety of the planet by 1.1 meters thick of ice (University of
Copenhagen, 2015).
Recently the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
(MRO) also found dark streaks that appear in many

Fig. 1. Mars Digital Image Model, NASA,

Nanna Karrison

locations when temperatures are greater than -10F and disappear in the colder seasons on Mars surface.
(Contillo, 2015) (Appendix 2) [The] downhill flows [are] known as recurring slope lineae (RSL) (Contillo,
2015). The liquid is explained as being briny (salty). Salt would allow for liquid to have a lower melting
temperature and if the water is plentiful enough would allow for more colonization sites.
According to this research the resources of water on mars are plentiful.

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

Phase 2: Processing and Storage_____________________________________________________________

According to NASA (2011) every drop [of water] counts and the ISS is using an Environmental
Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for recycling water. They explain that it mimics Mother Nature on
Earth (Appendix 1). Waste water is recycled in a three (3) step process.
Step 1: A filter that removes particles and debris.
Step 2: Water passes through the "multi-filtration beds," which contain substances that remove organic
and inorganic impurities.
Step 3: The "catalytic oxidation reactor" removes volatile organic compounds and kills bacteria and
viruses.
The ECLSS can be used in the vessel orbiting above Mars and for the colonists on Mars. According to
Mars One (n.d.), the ECLSS units could be used to extract water from the soil by means of heating. Each
ECLSS unit could produce 1500 liters of water per Earth year. Calculations below in Phase 3 conclude each
member requires 14.94 kg (14.94 Liters) of water per day requiring multiple units or more suitable larger scale
units with back up reserves.
The recent findings of recurring slope lineae (RLS) on Mars would require mining, desalination and
purification to process the water to a potable form. Mining and processing would be needed for water from the
ice, the soil and underground.
Mars One is a not for profit organization with a goal to settling humans on mars has been working with
Paragon Space Development Corporation (2011) in devising the plan for the Mars mission and habitat. Their
Water Management System (WMS) design includes use of what they call the In-Situ Resource Utilization
Subsystem (ISRUS) to maintain steady supply of water laden regolith (soil) to the habitat to be used for oxygen
and potable water needs (p. 49). They also accommodate for storage reserves, purification systems, atmosphere
management, and wet waste processing with the ECLSS (p.36). This is seen below in figure 2.

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

Fig.2. ECLSS Conceptual Design: Habitat systems. (Paragon, 2011, p.36)

For the safety of the crew specifications will be needed for their potable water needs. Paragon also
addresses water quality in their designs. Testing to ensure crew member health is maintained will be crucial.
Specifications included the testing of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total
Coliform, and pH (Paragon, 2011, p. 28).

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

Phase 3: Necessities and Rationing of Water__________________________________________

Water is absolutely necessary for the survival of the Mars crew. Beyond the recognized uses water will
also play a vital role for oxygen as well. According to Paragon Space Development Corp. (2011) [r]outine and
continuous supply of water-laden regolith (soil) [will be needed] to maintain potable water levels and produce
oxygen (p. 49)

In

Paragon

Space Development
Corporations
conceptual
design (Paragon,
of the ECLSS
Fig. 3. ECLSS
Conceptual(2011)
Design:
Water Rations.
2011,Water
p.43)
Management Systems (WMS) they rationed water for each crew member for hygiene (showers, laundry, oral
hygiene and urine flush) at 8.67 kg per day, consumption and food preparation at 3.91 kg per day. Other
considerations included; O2 metabolic production, nominal leak, air lock cycling and 1.36 kg per day as
miscellaneous totaling 14.94 kg per day per crew (p. 43). This means with a crew of nineteen (19) that would
total 283.86 kg a day. Their rational is shown above in figure 3.

Phase 4: Water Impacts/ Resources beyond Raw Form__________________________________________

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

The ECLSS life support units are able to convert water to oxygen. Mars One (n.d.) states that
some water would be stored; the ECLSS could produce 365 kilograms of oxygen per 365 earth days.
Paragon Space Development Corporations (2011) conceptual habitat design explains to use what
they call the ISRUS to maintain a steady supply of water laden regolith (Soil) to the habitat. This is to be
used for oxygen and potable water needs (p. 49). Water will also be needed for agriculture.
With ice also being an available water source, mining could occur. The ice blocks could be
transported and kept for additional water reserves.
There is potential for also extracting hydrogen from the water found on Mars for fuel. In an
article from Space.com (2014) scientist Vibha Srivastava has conducted experiments in the Utah desert.
She selected samples from the desert that believed to have moisture content similar to that of the soil on
Mars. Once samples were collected they were vibraheated to capture steam and then electrolysis was used
to produce hydrogen.
RESULTS DISCUSSION_______________________________________________________________
After researching the resources, process of extraction and treatment, needs/ rations, and other
applications that water will serve on the mission to mars the results suggest many projects will integrate
into water resources alone. There is water, we will need to collect that water with the help from Mining.
We will mine the soil, and ice on mars.
Once water is collected we will need to work with Infrastructure and Storage for processing,
testing and holding of reserves. The research supports multiple ISRUS and ECLSS units for the needs of
18 crew members with at least 2 to 3 back up units. This will also require space from the habitat Dome
Structures specialists. A lab should be considered in the design.
Water serves as an excellent source for Oxygen refinement. The ECLSS units should
accommodate. Water can be sourced from mars and recycled.
Water for agriculture would require assistance from Agriculture, Infrastructure and Dome
Structures to protect food from elements, provide irrigation and quantity needs.

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Hydrogen fuel is also capable of being produced from the water resources on Mars. This would
require assistance from Surface Transportation, Mining, Energy, Infrastructure, and possibly Dome
Structures to accommodate space. Hydrogen processing plants and Storage should be considered.
CONCLUSION_______________________________________________________________________
This research supports that water will be a crucial element in a successful mission. Water alone will
require a complex system and is available in ample amounts on Mars. Collection, processing, testing, and
storage are a few of the many systems needed to accommodate this resource. Water Resources will require
integration of expertise.
The uses water can serve include; potable water for hygiene and consumption, irrigation for agriculture,
oxygen, and fuel along with potentially other uses. The mission to Mars will be a very complex system.
Experts in many facets will be required and the resources available utilized to maximum potential. What we
take is what we get, but Mars has much to offer that should be capitalized on once we embark on this journey.

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References

Dwayne, B., Contillo, L., Webster, G. (28 September, 2015). Web. NASA confirms
evidence that liquid water flows on todays mars. Retrieved October 26, 2015 from:
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-confirms-evidence-that-liquid-water-flows-on-today-smars
Finger, B., Lantz, G., & Theno, T. (2011). PDF. Mars one habitat ECLSS (ECLSS) conceptual design
assessment. Tucson, Arizona: Paragon Space Development Corporation. Retrieved November 20,
2015
Mars One (n.d.). Web. Life support unit. Retrieved November 20, 2015 from http://www.marsone.com/technology/life-support-unit
NASA (6 April, 2011). Web. Water on the space station. Retrieved November 19, 2015 from
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2000/ast02nov_1/
Staats, K. (12 February, 2014). Web. Extracting hydrogen for fuel on mars. Space.com. Retrieved
November 21, 2015 from http://www.space.com/24663-mock-mars-mission-video-extractinghydrogen-fuel-marscrew134.html
University of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute. (2015, April 8). Ice on mars: Mars has belts of
glaciers consisting of frozen water. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2015 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150408102701.htm
Fig. 1. University of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute. (2015, April 8). Digital Image. Ice on mars:
Mars has belts of glaciers consisting of frozen water. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2015
from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150408102701.htm
Fig. 2. Finger, B., Lantz, G., & Theno, T. (2011). PDF. Mars one habitat ECLSS (ECLSS) conceptual
design assessment. Tucson, Arizona: Paragon Space Development Corporation. Retrieved
November 20, 2015
Fig. 3. Finger, B., Lantz, G., & Theno, T. (2011). (PDF) Mars one habitat ECLSS (ECLSS) conceptual

MISSION TO MARS: WATER RESOURCES

design assessment. Tucson, Arizona: Paragon Space Development Corporation. Retrieved
November 20, 2015

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APPENDIX
Appendix 1- Mimicking Mother Nature

Appendix 2 Recurring slope lineae (RSL)

See in motion at: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-confirms-evidence-that-liquid-water-flows-ontoday-s-mars