Buzz Aldrin, the acclaimed astronaut and second human to step onto the moon, is now taking viewers on a virtual reality trip to Mars. The astronaut’s hope for the VR trip is to excite people about a future in which humans will be building a settlement on the red planet.
The astronaut has been tirelessly working on his efforts to encourage the continued space travel, for earthlings to go to Mars. Hence, his newest endeavor is a 10-minute virtual reality film titled, “Cycling Pathways to Mars” that debuted on March 17, 2017. The movie short features Aldrin as the narrator in the form of a hologram.
Aldrin Plans for Travel to Mars
Aldrin takes viewers on a Mars virtual reality trip, to stir up excitement and entice governments to want to work together, mapping out a unified plan, to achieve Mars travel goals. He explains that unless all countries work in unison, the multiple budgets by individual governments and companies are going to be depleted without anyone landing on Mars.
The man, who landed on the moon in 1969, is still actively exploring prospects for humans to go to Mars. Aldrin has welcomed a partnership in planning space travel with an investment from SpaceX chief executive, Elon Musk. Specifically, the ageless spaceman notes, Musk is an expert in transportation but does not know what to do with people once they land on Mars.
Pursuant to that thinking, the astronaut states that private companies footing a large portion of the costs are not enough. Nations from around the world must offer their knowledge to achieve the single goal of building a colony on Mars.
Aldrin Creates Blueprint for a Mars Trip
He stated that he sees no productive plan by NASA to send a crew beyond gathering rocks. Aldrin has drafted his own blueprint. The ever-thinking astronaut has concluded that the best way for humans to travel to Mars and be able to perform routine research, would be to build an infrastructure. That is where his “Cycling Pathways to Mars” plan comes into play.
As Aldrin takes viewers on a Mars virtual reality trip, he is also mapping the way the earthbound will fly to the red planet. It is obvious that the space traveler has completely thought through the process of going to Mars, landing there, and building a colony. A trip to and from Mars takes approximately 12 months, therefore, Aldrin proposes the use of moons from Earth and Mars as layovers for travelers.
The seasoned astronaut explains that a huge challenge with any rocket exiting Earth is the weight involved. The fuel, oxygen tanks, and the water to sustain astronauts, all need to be accounted for when launching into space. On the other hand, the moon requires much less gravitational force than Earth. Aldrin also notes the moon holds water ice. These molecules can be broken down into essential oxygen and hydrogen, which can be used for fuel and air that is safe.
In addition, the lunar water will serve to feed gardens on board of spacecraft, as well as a coolant for the ship’s equipment. It will also be a valuable incorporation into the diet of astronauts. As part of the overall Mars plan, Aldrin proposes a necessary base that will be a permanent fixture on the moon. The base will serve as a stop for astronauts to fuel their needs and continue their trip. He notes that a station on the moon would serve to produce and administer goods, keeping costs to a minimum.
Aldrin sees a module for a crew being used for travel, and then docking with a cycler-type hub that will move in a constant loop between Earth and Mars, much like viewers can see in the movie, “The Martian.” His plan allows for crews to gather cargo from the moon’s orbit and attach to the cycler as it loops around. Once the cycler reaches Mars, the astronauts will undock to land, and relieve a waiting crew that will ride home on the same cycler.
Correspondingly, the cycler will also permit for the shipment of materials from Mars for scientists to study, as well as shipments to the red planet for living needs. With the capabilities of bringing resources, such as solar panels, and materials, to create environments to live in, Aldrin’s vision includes a well thought out plan for building colonies to support human life on Mars and the moon.
As Aldrin takes viewers on a virtual reality trip to Mars, he is creating his own legacy. The pioneer’s wish is for people to remember him as the man who designed the blueprint for a created community on Mars that will be lasting for the future. In Aldrin’s words, “Grab hold of the future and make it ours.”
By Carol Ruth Weber
Edited by Jeanette Smith
BBC: Buzz Aldrin takes you to Mars in VR
Time: Watch Live: Buzz Aldrin Talks About How to Live on Mars
Featured and Top Photo by Gage Skidmore Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License