Matt Damon-starrer "The Martian", is a fiction set 20 years into the future, but it seems not everything in the movie maybe fiction in the future as NASA says it is already developing some of the technologies in real life.
NASA recently released a series of photographs, highlighting "a few ways The Martian movie compares to what we’re (NASA is) really doing on our journey to Mars".
In the movie, Matt Damon who plays the role of Astronaut Mark Watney, is seen stranded on Mars. NASA has already completed "one of the most extensive isolation missions in Hawaii, known as HI-SEAS", the organisation wrote on Tumblr. "The goal of this study," the post said, "was to see how isolation and the lack of privacy in a small group affects social aspects of would-be explorers."
In The Martian, astronauts are launched on the Aries mission from a space centre. At present, NASA is working on developing new systems and "refurbishing and upgrading infrastructure to meet future demands." In its post, NASA explained that, "Currently, the Ground Systems Development and Operations’ primary objective is to prepare the center to process and launch the next-generation vehicles and spacecraft designed to achieve our goals for space exploration."
The astronaunts in the film use a propulsion system called the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) to travel through space. NASA wrote, "We are currently developing the most powerful rocket we’ve ever built, our Space Launch System (SLS). Once complete, this system will enable astronauts to travel deeper into the solar system than ever before!"
The environment on the surface of the Red Planet is harsh, and the spacesuit "The Martian" crew is seen wearing protects them from exactly that. NASA is working on developing technologies which "astronauts will use to live and work on the the Martian surface." "Technology advances in this next generation spacesuit would shorten preparation time, improve safety and boost astronaut capabilities during spacewalks and surface activities."
The Mars Decent Vehicle (MDV) helps "The Martian" crew to move around on the surface of the planet. NASA which is developing a "next generation vehicle" for space exploration stated that "Our Mars Exploration Vehicle (MEV) is designed to be flexible depending on the destination. It will have a pressurized cabin, ability to house two astronauts for up to 14 days and will be about the size of a pickup truck."
In addition to these, NASA is working on other technologies similar to those which appear in "The Martian". These include growing plants in space, and working on developing artificial living habitats on the Red Planet. Read NASA's full post here.
Photographs source: NASA Twitter/Tumblr