Scientists are planning to send the first human mission to Mars in the near future. An important question facing the mission is whether to land the spacecraft near one of Mars's poles or near its equator. Like Earth, Mars has very different climates at its poles and equator, Scientists believe that landing near the equator rather than near a pole will help the Mars mission overcome three major challenges.
Temperatures
Mars is much colder than Earth, with average temperatures below freezing. At the poles of Mars, temperatures are especially cold. in the extremely cold temperatures at the poles, equipment runs the risk of breaking down and malfunctioning, making a mission there risky. At the equator, however, temperatures are higher overall and less likely to damage equipment. This will reduce some of the challenges involved in dealing with the Martian climate.
Fueling Rocket Launches
Astronauts will need to launch a rocket to return to Earth from Mars. Such launches require large amounts of fuel, which is heavy and therefore difficult to bring to Mars. But rocket launches will require less fuel near the equator. This is because Mars, like Earth, is rotating. It rotates fastest near the equator, and a rocket can use Mars's rotation to gain extra energy when lifting off. By taking advantage of this extra energy, astronauts will not need to use as much rocket fuel for their return launch.
Sunlight
Landing near the equator will provide astronauts with adequate sunlight each day. During the Martian winter, the polar regions of Mars receive little sunlight for several months. During these dark periods, solar power is unavailable for equipment, and astronauts would need artificial lights to see Mars's surface. But near the equator, the Sun rises and sets each day during the Martian year. By landing the spacecraft near the equator, astronauts will be able to use solar-powered equipment and see the Martian environment more easily.
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on the specific points made in the reading passage.
In the lecture, the professor challenges the reading’s claim that landing near the equator is better for the first human mission to Mars. The professor argues that landing near a pole would be more advantageous and overcome several key challenges.
Firstly, the passage claims that landing near the equator is safer for equipment because the higher temperatures are less damaging than the extreme cold at the poles. By contrast, the professor asserts that the real issue is temperature fluctuation at the equator, where daytime heat causes equipment to expand and nighttime cold causes it to shrink, leading to cracks and damage. He explains that temperatures at the poles are more stable, and equipment can be designed to withstand the consistent cold.
Secondly, the author of the passage points out that rockets launched from the equator use less fuel because of Mars’s faster rotation near the equator, reducing the burden of transporting fuel from Earth. However, the professor contends that astronauts must manufacture fuel locally using water, which is scarce near the equator. In contrast, plenty of water exists in the form of surface ice at the poles, making fuel production much easier.
Lastly, the reading argues that the equator offers consistent sunlight for solar-powered equipment, while the poles receive little sunlight during winter. On the contrary, the professor explains that the poles provide six months of continuous sunlight, which is sufficient for a mission. Furthermore, ice at the poles can be used to build thick shelters that protect astronauts from harmful solar radiation, adding another advantage to landing near the poles.
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