Jasmina Lazendic-Galloway, How to Survive on Mars, CSIRO Publishing, August 2022, 120 pp., RRP $29.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781486314669
Dr Jasmina Lazendic-Galloway has a PhD in astrophysics, and is a science educator. In this smartly produced book she introduces the only other solid planet in our solar system, and explores for us some of the problems humans will have to face if they are to spend time on that planet almost without an atmosphere, very little gravity, and possibly not much more than red rocks on it. With superb full coloured graphics, the reader learns how the red planet formed, how it lost most of its atmosphere, what it’s made of, whether there might be enough water to sustain visitors from earth, how enormous are the dust storms on Mars, and perhaps most interestingly why we want to go there, and how we might feed and warm ourselves once we’re there.
Ironically, one of the most viable options for long time occupation of Mars could be living in the lava caves well below the dangerous surface. Each chapter includes quizzes, suggested activities and invitations to brainstorm solutions to the many problems life on Mars will throw up. For instance, how might we keep astronauts interested in food when mostly the light-weight, freeze-dried food sent away with them tastes much the same and has much the same consistency? Or, given that Mars does have the basic elements for life, what life forms might already exist there?
The most engaging and lively sections of the book are introductions to real people whose careers intersect with plans for travel to other planets: a planetary scientist, a science fiction writer, science journalist, a psychiatrist studying the effects of isolation and confinement, an astrobiologist, a space archaeologist and many others. These inspiring portraits reveal so many exciting and challenging possibilities that they leave me wishing I could live my life over several more times.
This is a fun book with many fun facts to think over and share. It’s also full of real and serious questions that will have to be resolved if anyone is going to live viably on the red planet that is so close to us but still so far away (132.68 million kms away as I write, but it varies). This is a book for anyone curious about the possibility of playing a part in that ongoing project.
Reviewed by Kevin Brophy
