Offline Workshops: Showcase Your Skills
January 9, 2025
I have enhanced my understanding of the topic through these papers. Here is a short review of the individual papers:
https://www.kiss.caltech.edu/papers/access2mars/papers/Low-Cost-Mars-Final-Report.pdf
Description:
The report “Low-Cost Science Mission Concepts for Mars Exploration” explores innovative strategies to sustain and accelerate Mars discoveries, emphasizing small-spacecraft technologies to conduct impactful research at reduced costs. Over the past 25 years,
Mars missions have transformed our understanding of terrestrial planet evolution, offering insights into climate, habitability, and the prevalence of liquid water. Unlike other planets and moons, Mars preserves ancient geological and atmospheric records, making it an invaluable natural laboratory. However, addressing unanswered questions about its history and processes necessitates a cost-efficient approach to exploration. The forum examined mission concepts tailored to high-priority scientific objectives, such as assessing strategic questions through miniaturized instruments and leveraging cutting-edge spacecraft designs. Discussions focused on orbital and surface mission capabilities, with an emphasis on technologies like aerobraking, modular propulsion systems, and green monopropellant engines for efficient Mars delivery. Solar electric propulsion (SEP) thrusters and high-specific impulse technologies were highlighted for their ability to minimize transit times and operational costs. The workshop also proposed integrating international collaborations and commercial NewSpace capabilities to enhance mission feasibility. Strategies like rideshare launches and piggyback payloads were considered to maximize cost efficiency while enabling meaningful scientific outcomes. Specific technological advancements—such as robust attitude and momentum management systems and aerocapture innovations—were underscored as critical to overcoming the challenges of small-scale Mars exploration
https://wyoscholar.uwyo.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/36f10f74-7319-4de9-8d0b-06501c5edf73/content
Description:
The research paper states that Mars colonization involves addressing critical challenges while unlocking transformative opportunities. Key difficulties identified include transportation, radiation exposure, and health risks associated with microgravity. Advances like SpaceX’s Starship are highlighted as pioneering cost-effective interplanetary transport. However, the paper notes that radiation shielding and solutions for microgravity-induced muscle atrophy and bone loss require further development. The research emphasizes the need to harness Martian resources such as water ice and atmospheric CO₂ for in-situ fuel production and agriculture, though the presence of toxic perchlorates in the soil presents significant barriers. As the research paper explores, ensuring sustainability on Mars requires integrating local resources and innovative technologies. Proposed methods include the Sabatier reaction for fuel generation and systems to simulate artificial gravity. However, the paper underscores the uncertain impacts of Mars’ partial gravity on human health and the need for preliminary experimentation. Additionally, it critiques the existing legal framework under the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 for its inadequacies in resource rights and settlement governance, recommending the formulation of updated international regulations to support equitable development. The paper further asserts that, despite these challenges, Mars colonization holds immense potential for scientific and technological advancement. By pursuing colonization, humanity could benefit from breakthroughs in propulsion and life support, access extraterrestrial resources, and safeguard against existential threats to Earth. The research concludes that collaborative international efforts and systematic problem-solving will be crucial to overcoming barriers and establishing a sustainable Martian presence.
Offline workshops and initiatives were the pedestal to showcase my skills and knowledge I had gained in the subject after online courses, reading books, and building my skills through other platforms. These experiences not only helped me grow individually but also allowed me to create a social impact in meaningful
Online courses from various sources like Coursera, MIT OpenCourseWare and Indian Space Research Organization were a stepping stone into gaining the knowledge and stem skills required for my future. Let me pen down some of my experiences in detail: If you want to look at more online courses I have
Introduction The field of science is a source of numerous professional career paths appropriate for a broad range of interests and aptitudes and can be combined into interdisciplinary disciplines. Science students are uniquely positioned to explore numerous paths, from traditional roles to emerging fields driven by technological and societal advancements–sometimes
