Scientific American Frontiers Season 9 Episode 2 Journey to Mars

Scientific American Frontiers season 9 episode 2, titled "Journey to Mars," provides an in-depth look into the ambitious goal of sending humans to Mars and the technological advancements needed to achieve this feat.

Host Alan Alda begins the episode at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he talks with experts about the history of Mars exploration and the challenges that must be overcome to send humans to the red planet. He delves into the technological improvements that have made it possible to send rovers to Mars, and how this technology can be adapted to support human missions.

The episode explores various challenges that must be addressed before humans can safely reach Mars and return home. One of the primary concerns is radiation exposure during the long journey to Mars and while on the planet's surface. The show illustrates various technologies developed to counter radiation exposure. It entails a discussion of Mars' atmosphere, which is too thin to protect humans from harmful radiation, and how scientists are developing solutions like artificial magnetic shielding, which can create a magnetic field to shield astronauts from incoming radiation.

Another challenge the episode addresses is the psychological effects of isolation and confinement that astronauts will face during the several-month-long journey to Mars. The show features conversations with experts who describe the design of spaceships, the resources needed to sustain human life in space, and how new technologies can help alleviate loneliness and boredom.

The show also details the advanced propulsion technology being developed to get humans to Mars, such as plasma thrusters and antimatter rockets. Alda interviews top experts in the field who explain the benefits and limitations of each technology.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the episode is a virtual tour of the habitat module that will be used on Martian missions. The show illustrates how the living space will look and how it will be equipped with everything the crew needs to survive and work on the planet’s surface.

The show concludes with an examination of the political and financial challenges facing space agencies’ mission to Mars. Alda speaks with officials who describe how the mission is not only daunting but also expensive, and how collaboration between nations and private companies may be the solution to address these challenges.

Overall, Scientific American Frontiers season 9 episode 2 "Journey to Mars" is a fascinating exploration of the latest advancements in technology necessary for humans to travel to Mars. The show illustrates that sending humans to Mars is not just some far-fetched science-fiction concept, but a realistic goal that may be achieved in the near future. The episode presents the challenges and obstacles that must be overcome to make this idea a reality while also inspiring hope that human space exploration will continue to push new boundaries.