"Philip, Amanda, don't you want to be part of this Mars exploration mission?" Frank hadn't made a final decision yet, but asked again with reaffirmation.

"Frank, the model of dark matter that I am working on with Andre is at a critical stage, and I don't want to be distracted by other projects for the time being." Philip looked at Andre, then turned back to Frank and replied calmly.

Frank didn't say anything, just nodded in agreement.

"Frank, maybe the Mars expedition isn't for me," Amanda was silent for a long time before explaining.

"Okay, it's okay, I understand you." Frank didn't wait for Amanda to finish before interrupting her, "This Mars expedition took more than a year to go back and forth, and it was indeed a chore. ”

According to the plan, astronauts will have to stay there for a full year after landing on Mars, because the actual distance between the Earth and Mars will constantly change during the relative motion of the Earth around the Sun, and the best time to return is only when Mars and Earth are relatively close in a year's time.

The simple schematic diagram is as follows:

Mars - Sun - Earth, when the Earth and Mars are on the same straight line on both sides of the Sun, the distance between the Earth and Mars is the farthest.

[Mars] - [Earth] - [Sun], when the Earth and Mars are in a straight line on the same side of the Sun, the distance between the two is the closest, and it is the best time to return to Earth.

"Okay, then the members of the Mars scientific exploration team of the Institute of Astrophysics are me, Durunik, and Yuan Chen, and the rest of the people will stay on Earth and do a good job of logistics." Frank finally announced the roster.

"Also, Durunik and Hara, because the two of you have no experience in space travel. Therefore, I will apply to the Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics to provide you with professional astronaut training courses. Although when they joined the IEA (Interstellar Exploration Alliance) organization, the new trainees had a brief exposure to astronaut training courses, but in order to ensure thoroughness, Frank decided to send the two of them for further intensive training.

"That's it for today, let's all go back and prepare." Frank Xuanbu.

"Understood." "Okay."

After that, the members of the meteorite experiment team left the conference room one by one and went separately to prepare

Although, according to the scientific and technological prowess of the IEA organization, landing on Mars is not a difficult task.

However, the entire landing plan still needs to be carefully prepared and completed through close cooperation between various scientific departments.

After the deputy commander of the base, Carter, announced the launch of the Mars landing exploration project, the preparations of various departments of the IEA's Pacific base began in an orderly manner.

At the IEA Pacific Base, in the Super Laboratory 2 of the Institute of Space Science.

Several scientists are busy next to a cylindrical metal chamber with a diameter of about 20 meters and a height of 4 meters.

Despite its inconspicuous cylindrical metal chamber, it is a combination of the best science and technology in all fields on earth.

"How's the Mars Habitation Module preparing?" It was a tall, energetic middle-aged man who spoke.

"We're doing the final stages of commissioning and testing, Dean Medivan." A young scientist replied earnestly.

In order to ensure that astronauts and scientists can stay on Mars for a long time and carry out scientific research operations smoothly, the IEA organization must build a miniature base on Mars - [Mars Habitation Module].

The habitation module is the astronaut's temporary home on Mars. Similar to the living module of the space station, it has a complete manned environment, and astronauts can live in the cabin and only need to wear cabin suits. The [Mars Habitation Module] carried by the spacecraft can ensure that 12 people live on Mars for more than 12 months.

The [Mars Habitation Module] developed by the Space Science Research Institute has a completely independent survival system, which is divided into two floors, with living space, workstations and simulated airlock cabins.

"Has the expansion and contraction system of the [Mars Habitation Module] been checked?" Dean Medivan continued.

"I've checked it, do I need to show you a demonstration?" The young scientist replied.

"Not now, I'll check it before loading." Dean Medivan waved his hand and said.

The Mars Habitation Module has an automated telescopic system that can be split along the four walls and retract inwards regularly.

After shrinking, the volume of the [Mars Habitation Module] can be reduced to one-fourth of its original size, which greatly improves the convenience of transportation and space navigation.

"Time is of the essence, complete all preparations as soon as possible." Dean of the Academy of Space Sciences, Madiwen, said after looking around.

"We can do it in a month." The young scientist nodded and continued, "However, the scientific research equipment that needs to be loaded into the [Martian Habitation Module] is not yet in place. ”

"I will arrange for someone to communicate and coordinate with other research institutes immediately." Dean Medivan said decisively.

IEA Pacific Base, Institute of Biochemistry, Dr. Minch's office.

"Suzuki, how are preparations for our Mars landing program progressing?" Dr. Minchi asked with a serious look on his face.

"Teacher, our preparations are going very well." Suzuki replied with a bow.

"Are the [reclaimed water recycling system] and [oxygen generation system] ready?" Dr. Minchi nodded and asked.

"I'm doing the final debugging, and it can be carried into the [Mars Habitation Module] next week."

"Very well, there are other preparations to be completed as soon as possible, and I am very much looking forward to this Mars exploration mission." Dr. Minchi's face was filled with excitement at the thought of the opportunity to uncover the secrets of life in the ancient universe.

Mars does not have freshwater lakes, in order to ensure the long-term life needs of astronauts on Mars. In the absence of any external supply, the water in the cabin will be continuously filtered and purified through the [Reclaimed Water Recycling System] provided by the Institute of Biochemistry.

You can imagine not a drop of sweat, saliva, or urine going to waste. It may not sound so comfortable, but the coffee you drank today is likely to come from the stool and urine you passed yesterday.

In addition, more than 90 percent of the air on Mars is carbon dioxide, and the atmosphere is surprisingly dense. In order to survive on Mars, in addition to shelter, food and water, there is also an important condition - oxygen.

The oxygen generation system separates oxygen and hydrogen from water molecules by electrolysis.

Oxygen is released directly into the air, while hydrogen enters the water production cycle.

In order to ensure a large amount of electrical energy consumption of the [oxygen production system], the entire [oxygen production system] will be equipped with a radioisotope power supply and a giant solar panel at the same time.

(To be continued) (Welcome to join the book friends exchange group: 529839423)