Is the Movie RED PLANET Accurate about Mars?

Is RED PLANET an accurate representation of Mars?

The movie RED PLANET presents Mars as a challenging and dangerous destination, but how much of it rings true in reality? Let's dive into the accuracy of various aspects of the film compared to the scientific understanding of Mars.

Survival on Mars in RED PLANET

The movie portrays Mark Watney's survival on Mars as fairly accurate, especially in terms of basic survival needs. Despite the harrowing scenarios faced by Watney, the film noticeably lacks a detailed discussion of certain medical issues Watney would have faced due to the toxic soil on Mars. The main threat to survival is not starvation (which Watney manages to avoid through innovative means like growing potatoes using his own waste), but rather the poison in the soil that can lead to thyroid and kidney problems.

On Mars, an estimated 3 to 4 years of hostile conditions would likely result in a painful death for any human. This emphasizes the intrinsic difficulty of human survival on Mars, despite the innovative solutions depicted in the movie.

The Weather in RED PLANET

One major aspect the movie gets incorrectly dramatized is the weather on Mars. Hollywood often enhances these elements to make the story more engaging, but in reality, Mars' thin atmosphere and lack of breathable air make the environment far from viable without extreme protection.

The movie highlights a dust storm that causes significant danger, knocking over rockets and activating dangerous equipment. However, a dust storm on Mars would feel like a 5 mph breeze, not a 60 mph gale as depicted. The thin atmosphere would prevent any such weather from causing the dramatic effects shown in the film.

A scientifically accurate dust storm on Mars would be a major challenge, but not as dangerous as the movie portrays. Dust storms on Mars can indeed reach high speeds, but the fine, toxic dust would present significant challenges for both the crew and equipment. Everything would need to be decontaminated, and specialized suits with impervious joints and seals would be necessary for long-term survival.

Practical Aspects of Mars Survival

Much of the practical survival elements in the movie are quite reasonable when compared to current scientific knowledge. For instance, the use of Watney's waste to grow potatoes is a scientifically plausible solution to a nitrogen-poor soil. Additionally, driving during daytime and charging vehicles at night is a viable strategy in Mars’ environment.

However, the concept of charging a Tesla-sized battery with solar panels would require a substantial amount of solar panels, covering about 75 square meters. Mars' low sunlight levels mean that even with these panels, Watney would face significant challenges in maintaining sufficient energy.

Conclusion

Overall, the movie RED PLANET paints a decent, though sometimes exaggerated, picture of surviving on Mars. While it captures the basic essence of survival through ingenuity and resourcefulness, the depictions of weather and the overall survival conditions can sometimes miss the mark by dramatizing aspects for the sake of entertainment.

The film is more entertainment than a scientific reference, but it does provide a fascinating insight into the challenges of Mars exploration. Its portrayal of survival techniques, however, is grounded in a degree of scientific accuracy that aligns with reality.