When it comes to space exploration, Hollywood has always been fascinated with the idea of creating movies and TV shows that depict the future of interplanetary missions. One such movie that caught the attention of space enthusiasts and moviegoers alike is ‘The Martian.’
But have you ever wondered how realistic the Hermes spacecraft shown in the movie is? Let’s find out.
What is Hermes?
In the movie ‘The Martian,’ Hermes is a spacecraft that carries a crew of six astronauts on a mission to Mars. The Hermes spacecraft consists of three main sections: the Habitat, the Central Element, and the Engine Section.
The Habitat is where the crew lives during their journey to and from Mars. It contains everything necessary to sustain life, such as food, water, oxygen supply, and waste management systems.
The Central Element is where most of the scientific experiments take place. It includes a kitchen, a gym, a medical bay, and communication equipment.
Finally, the Engine Section houses all seven ion engines that are used for propulsion during both outbound and inbound journeys.
Is it Realistic?
While some aspects of Hermes are based on real-life technology, others are purely fictional. Let’s take a closer look at some of these aspects:
Propulsion System
The ion propulsion system used on Hermes in ‘The Martian’ is based on real-life technology. NASA has been developing ion engines for over two decades now.
These engines use electricity to accelerate ions (charged particles) out into space at high speeds to create thrust. However, NASA’s current ion engines are not powerful enough for interplanetary travel yet.
Radiation Shielding
Radiation shielding is an essential aspect of interplanetary travel since astronauts will be exposed to higher levels of radiation in space than they are on Earth. In ‘The Martian,’ Hermes uses water tanks as radiation shielding around its habitat section, which is a realistic approach. Water is an effective shield against radiation and is currently used on the International Space Station for this purpose.
Crew Size
The crew size of six astronauts on Hermes is realistic, as NASA has previously sent crews of six or seven astronauts to the International Space Station. However, the depiction of a diverse crew with members from different countries working together is not yet a reality in space exploration.
Artificial Gravity
In ‘The Martian,’ Hermes uses centrifugal force to create artificial gravity during the outbound and inbound journeys. While this concept has been explored in science fiction, it is not yet a reality in space exploration.
Conclusion
Overall, while some aspects of Hermes in ‘The Martian’ are based on real-life technology and concepts, others are purely fictional. It’s important to note that Hollywood movies often take creative liberties for dramatic effect. Nonetheless, ‘The Martian’ does an excellent job of showcasing how interplanetary missions could be carried out in the future with advancements in technology.
Sources:
-https://www.space.com/30302-the-martian-hermes-spacecraft-explained-infographic.html
-https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/deep-space/a17619/nasa-ion-thruster-breaks-record/