How Big Is the Hermes in the Martian?

Are you curious about how big the Hermes spacecraft would be on Mars? Let’s dive into the details and find out!

What is Hermes?

Hermes is a fictional spacecraft that was featured in the hit movie, “The Martian”. It was designed with the purpose of transporting astronauts to and from Mars.

The Dimensions of Hermes

In the movie, Hermes is depicted as being 212.5 feet long and 82.5 feet wide. These dimensions were created based on scientific research and calculations, taking into account the laws of physics and the requirements for human habitation.

How Big Would Hermes Be on Mars?

Mars has a much lower gravitational pull than Earth, which means that objects weigh less on its surface. As a result, if we were to bring Hermes to Mars, it would appear much larger than it does in space.

To understand how big it would look, let’s take a look at some numbers. The gravity on Mars is roughly 38% of what we experience on Earth. This means that an object that weighs 1000 kg on Earth would only weigh approximately 380 kg on Mars.

If we apply this calculation to the dimensions of Hermes, we can estimate that it would be around 557 feet long and 216 feet wide on Mars. That’s almost three times bigger than what we see in space!

Why Does Size Matter?

Understanding the size of objects in different environments can help us plan missions and design equipment for space exploration. In order to safely land objects on planets with different gravitational pulls, engineers must take into account their weight and size.

Knowing how big an object will appear in different environments also helps us visualize scientific concepts more accurately. By understanding how objects behave differently in space versus on a planet’s surface, we can better understand how they interact with each other and with the environment.

In conclusion, while the Hermes spacecraft may seem small in space, it would appear much larger on Mars due to the planet’s lower gravitational pull. Understanding the size of objects in different environments is crucial when planning space missions and conducting scientific research.