Ep 7. Making MARS

In the seventh episode of the first season of "Mars," titled "Making MARS," the focus is on how humans can make life on the red planet sustainable. The episode starts with the crew of the Daedalus spacecraft preparing to launch from Mars to Earth, leaving behind their colleagues at the Olympus Town habitat.

Back on Earth, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin discuss the challenges of colonizing Mars. Musk is convinced that it's possible to "terraform" the planet so that it can sustain human life, but Melvin argues that it would take centuries to do so.

Meanwhile, at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, a group of scientists simulate life on Mars in an attempt to learn more about what it would take to survive on the red planet. This includes living in a habitat, growing their own food, and wearing spacesuits for extended periods of time.

The scientists also experiment with creating oxygen from the carbon dioxide-rich Martian atmosphere. They discover that it's possible to use a process called solid oxide electrolysis to produce oxygen, which could be used to fuel rockets or even to breathe.

At the same time, on Mars, the crew of the Olympus Town habitat is struggling with a malfunctioning power system. They need to find a way to generate more energy if they're going to be able to survive on the planet long-term.

One solution they come up with is to use biofuels. By growing algae and other plants, they can create a sustainable source of energy that doesn't depend on solar panels or other technology that's vulnerable to failure.

In the end, the episode emphasizes the importance of collaboration between organizations like NASA and private companies like SpaceX if we're going to be able to successfully colonize Mars. Only by working together and sharing their expertise can humans hope to conquer the challenges of living on another planet.

Overall, "Making MARS" is a fascinating look at the science behind making our neighboring planet habitable. By exploring the challenges and potential solutions to creating a sustainable life on Mars, the episode offers insight into what the future of space exploration might look like.