What human waste is currently on the surface of Mars?

After 50 years of research, humans have left thousands of kilograms of debris on the surface of Mars. These are the consequences.

Space exploration generates ecstasy. It’s almost natural: when information arrives about new discoveries on other planets, or the latest images from the James Webb Telescope, the The immediate reaction is to see what it is. Although the progress of science depends on us sending devices to other worlds, this human activity It’s already leaving trash on Mars.

Astronomers are concerned about debris accumulating on Mars Interfering with future research. Human spacecraft debris, unit parts, and burnt junk don’t just orbit the Earth. exactly the contrary, They have already reached the red planet. These may be the consequences.

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Humans pollute the planets we touch

Worry is not trivial. In fact, the possibility that human debris is on the surface of Mars Create difficulties for future space missions became more realistic. More than anything else, because trash recovery is not only expensive, but it doesn’t really contribute anything to scientific research on other planets. Without more, the Researchers prefer to leave their waste on the surface – Probably for centuries to come.

Postdoctoral researcher in United Nations Office for Outer Space AffairsCagri Kilich, defines tThree main sources of human pollution on Mars are:

• discarded devices
• idle spaceships
• The spaceship that crashed on the surface

Above all, the specialist explains to ConversationBecause “every mission to the surface of Mars requires a unit that protects the spacecraft.” All this equipment stays there, on the barren soil of the Red Planet, without anyone picking it up. Spacecraft parts are left scattered on the surface, usually breaking into smaller pieces.

Such was the case with Perseverance, the star rover on NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. until CurrentlyAfter a year of landing the device Only silence over our neighboring planet. Still, Kelish explains, “AndThese little bits can be blown off by the Martian winds.” Pollution is spreading.

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Why is pollution important on Mars?

After years of walking on Jezero CraterCuriosity’s wheels are damaged. In its wake, the rover left Small pieces of aluminum on the surface of Mars. These fragments add to the kilograms of human waste left on Mars. Although they seem like trifles, they pollute us on other planets They are already causing problems.

“Today, explain Kilic, «The main concern for scientists about debris on Mars is the danger it poses to current and future missions.”

Curiosity isn’t the only one that has left trash on Mars. In contrast, the perseverance rover has been documented Several cases of abandoned rubble on the surface of the red planet. Now, researchers are concerned that these remains Sample contamination – Maiden once – that mission will bring him back to Earth.

Although, in principle, this debris has contributed to all our knowledge of Mars, human debris today Already interfering with contemporary research. The researchers acknowledge that the risk of sample contamination is low. for Kelish, “The debris on Mars is important because of its place in history.” So the author says:These are the early stages of the exploration of human planets. »

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