PRECIOUS RESOURCES


NASA estimates how much air, water, and food each astronaut needs. They think that each crew member needs about 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds) a day. That’s too much for the ship to carry! Instead, the ship would have to recycle air and water. And the crew would need to grow food in special gardens.


A FEW FAVORITE THINGS


Each astronaut could only take a few favorite things on board. Choosing what to pack might be hard. Here are some choices other astronauts have made.


2007: the lightsaber belonging to Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker


2008: a vial of dirt from the pitcher's mound at Yankee Stadium


2010: a watch worn by Amelia Earhart in 1932 when she crossed the Atlantic Ocean by herself


2012: Legos


4


3


3 EXERCISE: The crew would exercise every day to stay healthy.


4 PROTECTION: Radiation would be a threat. Water-fi lled “green walls” would help protect astronauts from it.


5 REPAIRS: Important systems would be kept at the center of the habitat. This would make repairs easier and safer.


TIMING


NASA hopes to send humans to Mars in the 2030s. Someone your age right now might be the fi rst to make the trip!


TRAILBLAZER 19


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