●●●●● ranong Man ●●●● ●●0 ●●● ●●●● Ever since the beginning of history, people have dreamed. o of interplanetary travel. For centuries, these dreams have remained dreams. But within about 30 years from now, the first people from Earth will have landed on Mars. And by the year 2170, people will have established cities and industries. You see, scientists are-now-making plans to-transfewmR -Mars so that it will papmteqssipbgfothdmHstenlite mevexkthere Those dreams will finally come true Mars has always fascinated us. there are many stories and films about"Men from Mars"attacking Earth. Unfortunately, the unmanned spacecraft which we sent there in 1976 found no signs of life on the red planet (so called because it is covered in iron oxide) In many ways, Mars is the planet which is most similar to Earth. A Martian day lasts for about 24 1/2 hours(although a year has 687 days)
Turn to p. 169, and listen to the text. Ever since the beginning of history, people have dreamed of interplanetary travel. For centuries, these dreams have remained dreams. But within about 30 years from now, the first people from Earth will have landed on Mars. And by the year 2170, people will have established cities and industries. You see, scientists are now making plans to transform Mars so that it will become possible for humans to live and work there. Those dreams will finally come true. Mars has always fascinated us. There are many stories and films about “Men from Mars” attacking Earth. Unfortunately, the unmanned spacecraft which we sent there in 1976 found no signs of life on the Red Planet (so called because it is covered in iron oxide). In many ways, Mars is the planet which is most similar to Earth. A Martian day lasts for about 24 1/2 hours (although a year has 687 days). Transforming Mars
●●●●● ranong Man ●●●● ●●0 ●●● ●●●● It is about half the diameter of earth and although there is no water, there is a lot of ice in the two polar ice-caps. Even though the average tem perature is-60 C, it would be possible for humans to survive there. Whereas venus, for exam ple, has a tem perature of 465C, which makes it completely uninhabitable The plan which scientists are now developing involves a it becomes more like Earth Ironically, this means using the so that process known as " transforming"Mars, i. e, changing Mars greenhouse effect"(which we are trying to stop on Earth). The suggested programme would have five main stages. stage1(2015-2030) The first expedition arrives on Mars, after a journey of about six to nine months. The members construct subterranean buildings and stay on Mars for about a year they conduct experiments look for good sites for future landings, and also check for signs of life
It is about half the diameter of Earth, and although there is no water, there is a lot of ice in the two polar ice-caps. Even though the average temperature is –60 C, it would be possible for humans to survive there. (Whereas Venus, for example, has a temperature of 465C, which makes it completely uninhabitable.) The plan which scientists are now developing involves a process known as “transforming” Mars, i.e., changing Mars so that it becomes more like Earth. Ironically, this means using the “greenhouse effect” (which we are trying to stop on Earth). The suggested programme would have five main stages. stage 1 (2015-2030) The first expedition arrives on Mars, after a journey of about six to nine months. The members construct subterranean buildings and stay on Mars for about a year. They conduct experiments, look for good sites for future landings, and also check for signs of life. Transforming Mars
●●●●● ranong Man ●●●● ●●0 ●●● ●●●● They need to wear spacesuits because 95%of the atmosphere is carbon dioxide. But the low gravity (one-third of Earth's ) means they are able to move around easily Stage2(2030-2080) More expeditions arrive. Huge solar mirrors are put in orbit around Mars to heat the polar ice-caps. The ice-caps are sprayed black, so that they do not reflect the heat away. chemicals are released into the air. As a result, the atmosphere becomes thicker and retains more of the Sun's heat The"greenhouse effect"begins. The ice-caps start to melt, releasing water vapour. The temperature rises to-40c Stage3(2080-2115) Next, special plants are introduced from earth these can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. The first clouds appear, and the sky slowly turns from pink to blue. The tem perature goes up to 15
They need to wear spacesuits because 95% of the atmosphere is carbon dioxide. But the low gravity (one-third of Earth’s ) means they are able to move around easily. Stage 2 (2030-2080) More expeditions arrive. Huge solar mirrors are put in orbit around Mars to heat the polar ice-caps. The ice-caps are sprayed black, so that they do not reflect the heat away. Chemicals are released into the air. As a result, the atmosphere becomes thicker and retains more of the Sun’s heat. The “greenhouse effect” begins. The ice-caps start to melt, releasing water vapour. The temperature rises to-40C. Stage 3 (2080-2115) Next, special plants are introduced from Earth. These can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. The first clouds appear, and the sky slowly turns from pink to blue. The temperature goes up to –15. Transforming Mars
●●●●● ranong Man ●●●● ●●0 ●●● ●●●● Stage4(21152130) The warming continues, melting more ice. Rivers and small oceans are made. More people migrate from Earth and live in towns. Forests of trees are planted. Mars is looking greener. The tem perature is oc. Stage5(2130-2170) Mars is getting more like Earth. The amount of oxygen in the air rises, and at last the air becomes breathable. the inhabitants can go outside without spacesuits. The tem perature reaches 10c and stays at that level. Since Mars is 228 million km from the Sun, it seems that it will never be as warm as Earth. ) Cities farms and industries develop all over Mars the transformation is com plete
Transforming Mars Stage 4 (2115-2130) The warming continues, melting more ice. Rivers and small oceans are made. More people migrate from Earth and live in towns. Forests of trees are planted. Mars is looking greener. The temperature is 0C. Stage 5 (2130-2170) Mars is getting more like Earth. The amount of oxygen in the air rises, and at last the air becomes breathable. The inhabitants can go outside without spacesuits. The temperature reaches 10C and stays at that level. (Since Mars is 228 million km from the Sun, it seems that it will never be as warm as Earth.) Cities, farms and industries develop all over Mars. The transformation is complete