Research Paper
An end of semester a research paper is required for course completion. Your research should include a literature review for a qualitative/subjective strength of evidence, [see Lesson 1 narrative, on how to rate the peer reviewed literature]. The minimum number of citations should not be less than ten. Robust evidence; usually consisting of systematic reviews or meta-analysis type publications, should clearly identify the limitations and bias by the author(s). Best sites for citation searches are Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus usually available from the APUS library The research paper assignment is outlined below:
Narrative for the End of Semester Paper [Assignment]
“A high-tech commercial entity is collaborating with NASA and the international community to design a program to send crews consisting of mostly civilian [can also include military] experts on a 2.5-year round-trip journey to explore the planet Mars by 2050 and set up a base for future explorer, workers and tourists (Do not refer to these individuals as colonists1). It is assumed that by the time of this mission a Lunar outpost (s) will serve as a crew or resupply launch site to Mars. This first mission is planned to begin during the closest approach of Earth, Moon and Mars. The length of the journey and Mars surface stay time will include about 6 to 8 months transit time and up to 6 to 18 months stay on the Mars surface [assumes will rely on currently used propulsion systems]. The transit time will use microgravity technology, while the Mars sojourn will be under 1/3 Earth’s gravity. You have been tasked to develop a background paper, including recommendations and additional research and technology development needs, for prospective mission investors, backers, the press and the policy makers. This should introduce the intended audience to the medical and technological challenges of human space travel and exploration. You can recommend additional funding to increase systems reliability and develop necessary human support systems. Please note that by the time of your assessment, there will be a lunar outpost/settlement of at least 50 demographically and occupationally diverse individuals, including some 10 of the Mars’s explorers/settlers. The resupply missions can originate from the Lunar surface or cis-lunar laboratory or prepositioned on the Mars surface, with several regular cyclers available at the time of the crewed launch mission.
Remember that the paper’s purpose is to provide an adequate level of understanding of the current physical and mental challenges so your reader(s) may assess the feasibility and success of a human mission to Mars and decide whether to start the mission planning process, including the investment into research and technology development for risk mitigation [See chapters 1, 2 and 3 in SPM as a good source of information].
Assume the mission will include primarily US crew. But international resources contribution and crew members participation is not excluded.
The major topics to be addressed, are:
1. The crewed mission will be launched from a Lunar base which will serve as a place for crewmembers [ 10 individuals] joint training and quarantine for a month, to minimize the likelihood of infections during the Mars transit time. Plan for a diverse group with different skills.
2. The journey will be planned during the closest approaches of the Earth-Mars-Earth, cutting the travel to 6 months and a stay on the planetary surface for at least a year and half. Specifically, your paper must address any health and logistics issues that the crew might experience after landing on Mars and in 1/3 Earth gravity.
1 Colonists, also called settlers, are historically linked to slave labor practices. The slave trade and labor were practiced by the ancient Greek colonists. It is less controversial to use the term settlers and settlements for future space explorations.
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3. Remoteness and isolation are further complicated by the communication delays to ask for assistance in case of unforeseen in health and life support emergencies [self-sufficiency will be an important element since mission abort will be impossible].
4. Assume that an interplanetary laser-based internet with Mars relay satellites will be in place.
5. Give consideration on how to control back contamination of Earth by any potential life forms.
6. Assume that robotic technology will be mature enough to construct a base on Mars.
7. At least 2 cyclers will be used for crew resupply, in addition to the deployment of robotic
missions to preposition food and water supplies. The crew will have to be self-reliant and grow their food and produce water, using in situ resources. Also, consider the type of shelters required to protect against radiation and Mars global dust storms. The storms move electrostatically charged fine, dust particles, at high speed in a rarefied atmosphere, lasting from few days to weeks. Particles can stick to space suits and other equipment, and contaminate space crafts and habitats and present a health risk [ pulmonary pneumoconiosis or interstitial lung disease].
8. Dwell on the benefit of an optimum size, composition [skills and sex], and organizational structure of the crew.
9. Health impacts on the human body caused by long-duration missions in the space environment and how those impacts may affect mission execution and mission success.
10. Issues that remain to be answered and potential countermeasures to mitigate the impacts of long- duration spaceflight, including the limited benefit of current measures used on the International Space Station [Would you recommend the use of artificial gravity during the transit times?]
11. The role of the Lunar infrastructure might be a consideration.
12. Discuss the need of an informed consent by the Mars crew and ethical acceptance of the risks.
13. Limitations and bias section will identify the unknown and potential health risks. Should also
identify critical knowledge areas to researched.
Additional guidelines for your paper are:
• Length: maximum single space 12 pages not including the title page and table of contents, • Number of References: At least ten peer-reviewed journals publications. Make sure you
have at least ten robust/good evidence-based peer reviewed references [see discussion/forum 1 and information contained in the CD]. Notebooks, websites, and non-peer reviewed publications fall into the fair or insufficient categories and are usually considered opinions!
