Last year, the Curiosity rover confirmed that it partially discovered the aircraft exploring Mars before: the surface of the red planet is full of reactive chlorinated hydrocarbons known as perchlorates. This news was presented as a big surprise, because it gave hope for finding traces of life on Mars. But there is a flip side to the coin.
The fact is that, despite the handful of perchlorates for potential Martian microflora, they can be a real disaster for us, if we decide to go there to relax. As Space.com expert David Leonard explained, perchlorates are often used as a food source by microbes on Earth, and an unusually high concentration of chemicals on Mars would provide the microbes with energy for a long time. But in relation to humans, perchlorates are not so friendly: they are toxic and extremely dangerous for the thyroid gland.
This is why the presence of perchlorates can be a big problem for future missions to Mars:
“Perchlorates have become an important component of the soil, and half a percent is enough. Anyone who says they want to live on Mars will have to think about the interaction of perchlorate with the human body. Half a percent is a lot. Even small amounts will be poisonous. Therefore, initially you need to develop a plan to combat this poison, especially because it will penetrate everywhere. "
Well, there is good news: some perchlorates are part of rocket fuel and may well be used to produce oxygen directly on the surface of Mars. In any case, this problem is not insoluble.
Recall, NASA has already named eight people who will fly to Mars first.
The article is based on materials .
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