What the experts suggest...

Please note, this is the information provided by the original version of this activity which was developed by NASA. Information has been checked to ensure accuracy for Mars and some quotes have been altered.

Expert #1

  1. Two 45.5-kilogram (100-pound tanks of oxygen:  “With basically no atmosphere on [Mars], oxygen (O2) to breathe is the most pressing survival need. The average person needs about 0.84 kilograms (a little less than 2 pounds) of O2 per day.”
  2. 38 liters (10 gallons) of water:  “There is recent evidence that there may be liquid water at or near the surface on Mars in some places, but this has yet to be proven (CA Institute of Technology)."  "Water is essential to all life. Currently, each astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) uses about 11 liters (3 gallons) of water daily (NASA).”
  3. Food concentrate:  “Food concentrate is a good source of food and an efficient way to carry it.” 
  4. Solar-powered radio receiver/transmitter:   “Hopefully people from the... outpost are looking for you while you are trying to reach them. A solar powered radio receiver-transmitter is important to maintain this communication.” 
  5. First aid kit:  “No matter where you are, a first aid kit is a good idea. Be sure you carry pain medication and medicine for infections.” 
  6. Map of Mar’s surface:  “A map of [Mar’s] surface is your primary way to identify your location and to help you navigate.”
  7. Space suit repair kit:  “You cannot afford to have any tears in your space suit. Your suit protects you from harsh conditions while you make your way to the outpost." The terrain of Mars may have sharp points or soil fragments that could damage a space suite. Holes in a spacesuit put your life at risk. 
  8. 15 meters (about 50 feet) of nylon rope:   “The nylon rope is useful in scaling cliffs or craters you may have to cross. To prevent injury or in case you cannot walk, rope is helpful for tying you to others.” 
  9. Space blanket:  “The space blanket helps reduce heat loss from a person’s body. The reflective material reflects about 80 percent of the wearer’s body heat back to the body.” 
  10. Signal mirror:  “The signal mirror is an important way to communicate during the daylight. The Mar’s daylight is brighter and harsher than Earth’s. There is virtually no atmosphere to scatter the light, no clouds to shade it, and no ozone layer to block the sun burning ultraviolet light.”
  11. Lights with solar-powered rechargeable batteries:  “These lights allow for nighttime travel.” 
  12. Life raft:  “A life raft is of little use for survival on [Mars]. Although it could be used to drag heavy items, the sharp terrain would quickly puncture the raft.” 
  13. Parachute silk: “Compared to other items, this item is of little use.” 
  14. Magnetic compass:  “[Mars has almost] no global magnetic field, which makes a magnetic compass virtually useless.” 
  15. Box of matches:  “Matches are virtually useless on [Mars] because there is little oxygen.” 

Expert #2

  1. Two 45.5-kilogram (100-pound) tanks of oxygen: “Oxygen to breathe is the most important survival need, since the Moon has virtually no atmosphere.”
  2. 38 liters (10 gallons) of water:  “Water is another basic survival need for the astronauts. Because there is no liquid water on [Mars], the astronauts will need the water they brought with them to survive.” 
  3. Food concentrate:   “Although the food concentrate must have water added to be useful, it is lightweight and easy to carry, meeting a third basic need for survival.” 
  4. Solar-powered radio receiver/transmitter:   “As people from the ... outpost are looking for you, you should try to reach them. Maintaining communication with your outpost is essential.”
  5. First aid kit:  “A first aid kit takes up little space and may be important to have in case of illness or injury.” 
  6. Map of the Moon’s surface:  “With no other directional tools available, a map of [Mar's] surface is the most important means of finding your way from one location to another.”
  7. Space suit repair kit:  “Your space suit protects you from the harsh conditions on [Mars]. The sharp terrain of the [Mars] can cut tiny holes in the suit, which may compromise its effectiveness.”
  8. Life raft:  “The life raft makes a great sled for carrying the oxygen and water.”
  9. 15 meters (about 50 feet) of nylon rope:  “The rope makes dragging the life raft easier or may come in handy when crossing difficult terrain.”
  10. Space blanket:  “May be used to insulate the body.” 
  11. Lights with solar-powered rechargeable batteries:  “The lights are helpful if you travel across large shadowed areas. Some areas in the polar regions are permanently dark.”
  12. Signal mirror:   “The signal mirror is used as a form of communication if the radio is not working.” 
  13. Parachute silk:  “Parachute silk comes in handy as a backup sled to the life raft...” 
  14. Box of matches: “With little oxygen on [Mars], the matches are useless.” 
  15. Magnetic compass:  “The compass is virtually useless because there is almost no magnetic field on Mars.” 
Survival! Exploration Then and Now by NASA