New news from the European Space Agency (ESA) about the future race to colonize Mars. Competition between different institutions and companies in this field is intense, and the importance of being the first to achieve colonization is a recurring theme in public and scientific conversation; it's not just a matter of pride, but of leaving a mark on human history. The idea of recreating a Martian environment has spread to some of the most inhospitable, hostile, and unusual places on our planet, with Lanzarote being one of the locations chosen for its unique terrain, which resembles the Red Planet.
The goal of terraforming Mars
The main objective of all these experiments and efforts is the "Terraforming of Mars". This task represents an ambitious planetary engineering project The purpose of this project is to transform Mars into a more habitable environment, with conditions similar to those on Earth. One of the first steps in this process is the construction of settlements that can safely and sustainably house human beings on a planet that experiences extreme conditions of temperature, radiation, and atmospheric pressure.
Recently, there has been a report about a makeshift city being built in Dubai, which is also part of this race toward colonizing Mars. However, it is in Lanzarote where simulations and training are being carried out in a way that represents a significant advance in preparation for space exploration.
The Pangea project
The Pangea project is the name of the training program carried out by ESA. It focuses on preparing astronauts under geological conditions that simulate those on Mars. The main reason for conducting this training in Lanzarote is that the volcanic environment presents a level of adversity similar to that expected on Mars. On the Red Planet, future human settlements could be located in one of the many lava tubes or caverns, which provide natural protection against radiation.
The recent training campaign, which took place over five days in November, involved 50 people, 14 experiments, 18 organizations, and four space agencies. Also participating on this occasion were guests from ESA's ExoMars mission, which is preparing to launch a rover with the goal of landing on Mars in 2020. This rover will be equipped with a high-resolution camera and a suite of sensors that will measure water vapor in what is expected to be a completely dark environment.
Importance of geological training
The geological training astronauts are receiving is essential. The geologist Francis Sauro, director of the Pangea course, emphasizes that the human ability to make quick decisions and develop ideas on the fly is crucial, as robots lack this flexibility. At NASA, studies have shown that astronauts are more efficient than rovers at collecting samples and analyzing geological data, given their intuition that machines lack.
During training, astronauts work in the Santa Catalina volcano (Tinajo, Lanzarote), where they simulate the exploration of the lunar surface and rehearse how rock sample collection would be. This process is similar to what they might experience during future missions to Mars, which is essential for planning scientific operations on the surface of another planet. Furthermore, the knowledge acquired about the gravity on mars will help them better understand the conditions of that environment.
The Moon, an achievable goal
Alexander Gerst, an ESA astronaut, has highlighted the importance of returning to the Moon as a preliminary step towards colonizing Mars, stating that "the Moon is a much more achievable goal." This is because many of the technologies and procedures developed for lunar exploration can later be applied on Mars. Exploration of the Moon will allow scientists to better understand how Earth's atmosphere formed and how life emerged on our planet, topics that are also relevant to the study of water on mars and other vital aspects.
Quick decisions during explorations
The director of the Pangea course, Francis SauroHe emphasizes that the quick decisions astronauts must make during six-hour expeditions are key. Recalling the Apollo mission, he underscores that the astronauts were successful in collecting samples in a remarkable amount of time, something that couldn't be achieved with a programmed rover alone. The use of new technologies, such as spectrometers that can analyze a rock's chemical composition in real time, has greatly improved the efficiency of future explorations.
Astronauts must learn to assess the terrain and select where to collect samples based on their observations, which directly relates to the training they receive in Lanzarote as part of their preparation for space. This relates to the flexible execution of the course, where they must adapt their plan according to terrain conditions, simulating the reality of space exploration. In this context, it is essential to understand the curiosities of mars that may influence your work.
Pangea and its future applications
The Pangea program not only allows astronauts to familiarize themselves with exploration procedures but also gives them the opportunity to study the interaction between volcanic activity and water, which is crucial in the search for extraterrestrial life. This training takes place in multiple locations, but Lanzarote is one of the most notable due to its unique geology, which allows astronauts to experience a natural laboratory where they can learn a great deal about the history of Earth and Mars.
Lanzarote's role in space exploration
The island of Lanzarote has been identified as one of the world's best training grounds for astronauts, geologists, and scientists. Its volcanic landscape, which resembles lunar and Martian environments, provides a rich base for study and experimentation. The president of the Lanzarote Island Council, Maria Dolores Corujo, has expressed her honor at ESA's return and the impact this collaboration can have on space exploration. This underscores Lanzarote's commitment to science and research, as well as its potential to facilitate future discoveries.
The combination of its unique landscape, along with its status as a biosphere reserve and geopark, makes Lanzarote an exceptional location for astronaut training. The ability of scientists and technicians to carry out simulations in an environment so similar to Mars is not only a milestone in preparation for colonization, but also in the advancement of scientific knowledge that can be beneficial to humanity. Furthermore, the global interest in planet Mars increases as new research is developed.
As space agencies around the world advance their exploration plans, interest in Mars is growing. The possibility of establishing a human colony on Mars is a topic attracting global attention. ESA, NASA, and other organizations are working on technologies that will allow not only reaching the Red Planet, but also on techniques that ensure a sustainable settlement. Lanzarote plays a fundamental role in this preparation, providing a realistic training environment.
Mars exploration is not only a technical challenge, but also a human one. Astronauts' ability to adapt to a new environment, make decisions under pressure, and work as a team are critical factors developed during launches like the Pangea project. The scientific community is constantly evolving, and training in Lanzarote contributes significantly to preparing astronauts for this exciting future.
Each training mission provides valuable information that can be used to improve the efficiency of future explorations. Astronauts who have undergone this type of training are better equipped to face the challenges of the vastness of outer space. International collaboration in space exploration, consolidated in places like Lanzarote, advances humanity's ability to explore and understand other worlds, testing not only our technology but also our resilience and creativity as a species.
