The Martian is a thrilling science-fiction movie that depicts the incredible story of an astronaut, Mark Watney, who is stranded on Mars after being presumed dead by his crew. Watney’s survival depends on his ability to improvise and utilize the limited resources available to him.
One of the most fascinating scenes in the movie is when Watney rips open his spacesuit to control the compressed air and thrust towards Hermes like Iron Man. But could he have realistically controlled the thrust? Let’s explore this concept further.
Rupturing a Spacesuit
Spacesuits are designed to protect astronauts from the hostile environment of space. They are made of multiple layers of materials that provide insulation, pressure control, and oxygen supply.
The outer layer of a spacesuit is made of durable material such as Kevlar or Vectran, which can withstand punctures and tears caused by sharp objects on Mars’ surface. However, in the movie, Watney accidentally impales his suit with a metal rod while performing maintenance work on his habitation module.
Could it Happen in Real Life?
It is theoretically possible for a spacesuit to be punctured or torn by sharp objects on Mars’ surface. However, NASA has taken significant measures to minimize this risk by designing durable spacesuits that can withstand pressure differentials and abrasive surfaces. Additionally, before every mission, astronauts undergo rigorous training that includes simulations of various scenarios such as punctures or tears in their suits.
Controlling Compressed Air
In the movie, Watney uses compressed air from his suit’s oxygen supply to create thrust and propel himself towards Hermes. He does this by manually controlling the flow of air using a lever attached to his suit’s valve.
Could it Happen in Real Life?
It is possible for an astronaut to use compressed air from their suit’s oxygen supply to create thrust. NASA has developed a system called SAFER (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue) that enables astronauts to control their movement in space using compressed nitrogen gas. However, the SAFER system is a complex and sophisticated piece of technology that requires extensive training to use effectively.
Controlling Thrust
Watney’s ability to control the direction and intensity of his thrust is perhaps the most unrealistic aspect of the scene. He is able to maneuver himself towards Hermes with remarkable accuracy, almost as if he were Iron Man. In reality, controlling the direction and intensity of thrust using compressed air would be extremely challenging, especially in an environment as unpredictable as Mars.
Could it Happen in Real Life?
It is highly unlikely that an astronaut could control their thrust with such precision using compressed air from their suit’s oxygen supply. The force generated by the compressed air would be difficult to harness, making it almost impossible to control with any degree of accuracy.
Conclusion
While The Martian is a thrilling movie that showcases human ingenuity and resilience, Watney’s ability to control his thrust using compressed air is not based on scientific fact. It is important to remember that movies often take artistic liberties for dramatic effect, and should not be taken as accurate representations of reality. In conclusion, while rupturing a spacesuit and controlling compressed air for thrust may be possible in theory, realistically controlling the thrust would be almost impossible.