Is the Hermes From the Martian Possible?

The Hermes from The Martian: Is it Possible?

When it comes to science fiction, audiences have become accustomed to seeing spacecraft that can take them to far-off planets and even across galaxies. In the 2015 film The Martian, the protagonist Mark Watney is stranded on Mars and must find a way back to Earth.

His only option is to use the spacecraft Hermes, which was used for the Ares III mission that he was a part of. But is such a spacecraft possible in real life? Let’s take a closer look.

The Hermes Spacecraft

The Hermes spacecraft in The Martian is a type of ion-powered spacecraft that uses nuclear reactors to generate electricity. It has two parts: the crew module and the propulsion module. The crew module is where the astronauts live and work, while the propulsion module is responsible for getting them to Mars and back.

Ion Propulsion

The ion propulsion system used by the Hermes in The Martian is based on real-life technology. Ion thrusters work by accelerating ions (usually xenon) out of an engine at high speeds.

This generates thrust that propels the spacecraft forward. Compared to traditional chemical rockets, ion thrusters are much more efficient but have lower acceleration.

Nuclear Reactors

In The Martian, nuclear reactors are used to generate electricity for the ion thrusters. While this technology does exist, there are currently no nuclear-powered spacecraft in use today. There are also concerns about using nuclear reactors in space due to safety issues.

The Challenges of Interplanetary Travel

Even if we were able to build a spacecraft like the Hermes from The Martian, there are still many challenges associated with interplanetary travel. One of these challenges is radiation exposure.

Astronauts traveling beyond Earth’s protective magnetic field would be exposed to high levels of radiation. This could have long-term health effects and would need to be addressed before any interplanetary missions could take place.

Conclusion

While the Hermes spacecraft from The Martian is based on real-life technology, it is still a work of fiction. There are many challenges associated with interplanetary travel that we have yet to overcome. However, it is exciting to see how science fiction can inspire real-life advancements in space travel.