by Simon Coates
The Mars Terraforming Project
When Sergy Abramov landed on the surface of Mars, he became the first human being in history to set foot on a planet other than Earth. These first footsteps laid the way for humans to begin work on their most ambitious project ever, that of changing the red planet from a lifeless, hostile environment to a thriving and successful place to live.
The project to make Mars habitable (more commonly described as 'terraforming') began a number of years before Abramov and his crew had landed there. Scientists, studying the unique environment of Mars, knew the basic fundamental aspects about what needed to be done in general. With the Abramov visit resulting in numerous samples of the Martian surface being brought back to Earth, the scientists were able to analyse them. The project proper got underway when missions to Mars became more commonplace, as the people on board were tasked with specific jobs to further this research. This was the first stage in the complete project that laid the foundations for the terraforming to begin.
The first aspect of the natural atmosphere of Mars that had to be tackled was the extreme cold. This was done by planning a controlled greenhouse effect, and then to inject chemicals into the Martian atmosphere to create a natural barrier for Mars, much like the ozone and other outer atmospheric layers are on Earth. This project took many decades, and when complete, it was a poignant moment when the people working there were able to remove their helmets and protective clothing and breathe and really feel the atmosphere of Mars.
Along with making the atmosphere safe, scientists also installed artificial gravity systems inside Mars, thereby making the planet feel as if it had the same gravitational effect as Earth. However this was only in areas of human settlement and not throughout the planet, leaving large areas having natural Mars gravity, such as the site of Olympus Mons.
The project was officially completed in 2167, taking more than sixty years to complete. Once this was achieved, people then started to develop Mars into a habitable place by installing the basic infrastructure such as buildings and roads, to the point that they started living there. The atmosphere is continually monitored to this day to ensure it is safe for humans to live there.
Wildlife on Mars and the Moon
Once human colonies had been established on the Moon and Mars, humans started to make these areas feel like home, which included having a wide variety of natural elements, including birds, animals, flora and fauna and other living species such as insects. With Mars having no life known to have evolved on the planet, all living organisms there have been transported from Earth, which includes not just livestock but also plants, trees and grasses. After planning the first seeds on Mars, certain areas have grown to proper wildernesses with a wide variety of natural species thriving there. Indeed certain areas of the planet were specially developed as wild spaces, with an abundance of woodland and green spaces, with little human habitation. This has grown over the time this has been there, and to many Marsians, is an area to visit to be reminded of the wonders of nature. The areas have natural Mars gravity, therefore the growth and lives of the various things that exist there are very different to how they live on Earth. With the low gravity having a huge effect on life on Mars, trees grow very tall, and certain species of birds are able to thrive. The Great Bustard, for instance, struggles to fly on Earth due to its immense weight, being the heaviest flying bird in the world. On Mars, however, it flies much easier and as a result enjoys a good and healthy life on Mars. Birds of prey that usually swoop down and catch prey on Earth have had to adapt to the lower gravity atmosphere as their dives do not achieve the speeds they managed on Earth, so their hunting takes on a different form.
On the Moon, there are very few birds, as what life is there is held in the secure dome areas. Green areas which contain trees and grasses constitute the main fauna on the Moon, and are regularly enjoyed by the people who live there.
SecMars, the Mars Timing System
A day on Mars is almost the same as on Earth, 24 hours and 37 minutes, with a year the same as 686.9 Earth days, or almost the same as two Earth years. This difference made it important for Mars to have their own time system, as Earth time would become out of kilter if used on Mars.
To calibrate the time in some meaningful way, a group was set up to agree the format that time would be used across the planet. The key problem was that a day on Mars was a difficult number to divide in a convenient number as on Earth with 24 hours per day/60 seconds per minute. The only division possible with whole numbers is 211 minutes per hour, with 7 hours for one day (1,477 minutes, or 24 hours and 37 minutes). As this was not a satisfactory outcome, since this was not easy for people to work with on a daily basis, it was decided to lengthen the time value of a second slightly, to keep the time format the same as on Earth, i.e. 24 hours per day and 60 minutes per hour. A second on Mars is therefore the same as 1.025 Earth seconds, or 2.5% longer, which is the basis of SecMars, the name given to the time format on Mars.
When humans started to populate Mars, watch makers started to make timepieces with SecMars timing. The majority of watches sold are mass-produced by a number of companies, but for a Marsian wanting something a bit more special, the most sought-after watch is produced by Forlami.
For reference, the time system employed on the Moon is the same as Earth time.
IronO - The Mars Metal
Mars is predominantly covered in a type of iron ore, amongst other materials, that is utilised in many different applications. It is normally mixed with other metals and materials, to be used as a sort of steel for structures and building materials. However, for most people living in the 23rd century, the most well known use for this material is in jewellery. In its raw form, which people regularly collect on the surface, it is of no monetary value. The high value of IronO comes when it is processed into its final metal form, which is long and complicated, hence why it only gains its value when it is treated in this way. Only a few processing plants exist across the planet to be able to undertake this work.
In a very complex operation, the raw material is harvested from the planet surface to begin its transformation into a useable metal. It is placed into a processing plant, and then heated up to a very high temperature. It is normally mixed with a variety of metals, depending on its ultimate application. For jewellery, the metal it is mixed with is normally silver or gold, or, for the most valuable, platinum, and from there is machined and shaped into its ultimate form, be they rings or watch cases. It is a very unusual material with a unique lustre and colour. Certain jewellers across Mars have embraced the material and have become true artisans in the creation of IronO jewellery.
The value of IronO jewellery essentially depends on the material it is mixed with, but generally very old pieces crafted in the first years of this material being made, command very high prices as they are very rare and sought after.
The naming convention for this material is to state IronO first, followed by the precious metal, for example IronO yellow gold, or IronO steel.
Healthcare
One of the areas of human endeavour that has made huge progress over the centuries has been healthcare. Ailments that killed us a hundred years ago are now treated as a matter of course, the most significant being the virtual eradication of cancer as a disease. Another huge leap forward is in the technology of ‘nanobots’ where people have tiny sensors in their bodies, which aids the detection and removal of diseases and illnesses. Limbs are now routinely changed, where the limb to go onto the patient is grown artificially in a laboratory, using the basic structure of the person's DNA so that the limb is an exact match. There is also the possibility of the brain transplant which allows a person's brain to be moved from their body into another body which can potentially give them many more years to live. The average age of a person is now around 150 years, with people living to over 200 as a matter of routine.
However, with humans now living away from Earth, where all human life has evolved from for millions of years, new problems and illnesses
have emerged, such as:
- Space deprivation – a stress-related problem as a result of living in a small area such as on a prison ship (Jailbird) or spacestation.
- A new type of cancer, which is generally termed as ‘space cancer’, which is the effect of people living on Mars and the Moon. Despite the atmospheres being carefully engineered to be as close to Earth as possible, there are people who suffer reactions to living on these areas.
- Headaches and muscle wastage, as a result of someone returning to Earth from a long stay in an area such as Mars, which has lower gravity. As the person adapts to the lesser gravity of Mars compared to Earth, the body has to re-adjust to the stronger gravity of Earth, which for some people is difficult. The body generally copes better going from a stronger gravity area to a weaker one, rather than the other way round. Mars does have stronger gravity areas, but people sometimes do not stay in these areas long enough, resulting in their bodies altering to a lower gravity situation.
Cosmetic surgery is now a normal practice, using techniques that are very advanced thanks to unprecedented technological breakthroughs over the past number of centuries. For example, people can get any face they want from a simple transplant, with cosmetic surgeons holding catalogues available of faces to choose from. In some cases the entire skin along with complete limbs can be replaced. In terms of using cosmetic surgery, people are placed into three categories:
Group A – The most intensive. Will change parts of their bodies as and when required. It is possible for someone to look like they are in their thirties when they are over 200 years old. Also used by people who have genetic modifications to live on Mars so they cope better with the lower gravity situation.
Group B – Only change parts as and when theirs wear out or if surgery is essential such as when they suffer extreme burns.
Group C – Eschew all forms of artificial enhancements preferring to ‘age’ naturally. The Earth-based group Ultra Natural endorse this type of living as a pre-requisite for being able to be accepted into the group.
The Full Brain Transplant
In the past centuries, along with space exploration, one area of human endeavour that has progressed in simply incredible ways is that of healthcare and medicine. And with regards the developments humans have made in this field, there is one particular practice, whether the most important is arguable; but in terms of controversial, it is without doubt; the full brain transplant.
In the late-22nd century the technique of allowing a human brain to be moved successfully from one body to another was perfected, and from there began the most intensely debated ethical issue of modern times. On the one hand, there were people who, living in a dying body, suddenly had the option of allowing their brain to be moved into a healthy body, which is generally regarded as a massive leap forward in healthcare for people. However, people with otherwise healthy bodies then went in for this operation, so that, for example, a person of 150 years old could be transplanted into the body of a 25 year old, thereby making them appear much younger than they actually were. Also, a male could have their brain transplanted into a female body, hence why this became such a massive ethical issue. For many people, it began the whole argument about what people really are; if the brain can be changed between bodies, then we really are just a brain and our bodies are just the 'details'? In terms of saving lives, however, it is a huge leap forward, as someone with a failing body and just a few more years left to live, can suddenly have their lives extended many years, possibly a complete lifetime.
When the technique became available to use, it was originally intended for people with healthy brains, but dying bodies. The brain transplant would then allow them to live a lot longer. The bodies that were used were those that had been donated by people, in the way they always have done when they decide that their organs could be used in the event of their death. This time, however, their entire body could then be re-used. There were a few bizarre stories of people recognising these people who they believed had died, because the whole body would be the body of the deceased person, including the face. This practice is now illegal, although it is still believed to go on with numerous 'underground' operations taking place. For the purposes of legality, the face of the patient must be utilised on the donor, hence why donor bodies are grown in the laboratory, so when they are called on to be used for the operation, the skull is sculpted to be identical to the patient.
There have been some very high profile cases that have become ingrained in local folklore, before the legal protocols were put in place. The most famous case was in 2216, with Strickland Ejot, who was a 164 years old, a highly successful businessman who was able to afford the Cr 1m price tag for a brain transplant. He was suffering with ill health, with various ailments, and was given no more than a few years to live. His brain was 100% healthy, and being a wealthy individual, decided to go through with the operation. This was successful, and Ejot then settled on Earth to begin his new life. This time, however, he had chosen to go for the body not of a male, but a 25 year old female, changed his name, and soon attracted the attentions of certain men. After a few relationships, he was eventually discovered by one of his 'boyfriends' of the time of his true past. He then moved to another area and claimed to be a lesbian, and had a few very intimate relationships with other women. This case was settled out of court by Ejot paying an undisclosed compensation to his victims, who claimed they had been totally duped, but for Ejot he claimed he had experienced a unique feeling, as he wanted to know what it was like to be a woman in different sexual relationships.
Today, the legal issues have been sorted out, making it illegal for someone to change sex or be transplanted into a body that appears many years younger. The face of the patient is scanned and is reproduced onto the donor body, which are now more commonly grown in the laboratory, rather than using bodies of people who have died. These bodies have all the necessary nervous system, skeleton, blood vessels and all major organs, so are just waiting for the brain to be installed so that they come to life, and the patient is then living in a new body, but as close to their original body as possible.
The only hospital where the operation is recognised takes place in the Supreme Hospital of Saudi Arabia, as it is the only place that has invested the capital for the necessary hardware and personnel to undertake the operation. The operation itself has a higher success rate than in the early years of offering this procedure but is still not guaranteed to be a success. It is believed that a number of legally unrecognised doctors undertake the operation in secret, to bypass laws so that men can have the transplant into the body of a woman, for example. However, as these operations take place in complete secret, very few of these have been discovered.
This operation itself was, and still is, the longest and most complex medical procedure of all. The two bodies, the donor body and the person who will have their brain taken out, are taken into the operating theatre, and a slow and complex process of transferring the brain begins. The donor body will have been selected from the ones in storage as the most suitable match to the patient, and the face of the patient will have been scanned and reproduced on the donor body. The donor body is prepared by having the top skull area entirely open, with the blood vessels exposed; the body will have been in cold storage up until this point. The person having the brain transplant is operated on, by having the top of their skull removed, and the brain is slowly but surely transferred to the other body, as the blood vessels and the nerve bundles are connected to the other body. This part of the operation is absolutely critical; if just one nerve is not attached correctly, the patient can suffer irreparable brain damage or even death.
After this is complete, the physical brain is then moved into the new body. When this transfer is complete, the person is kept under observation for at least 48 hours, to ensure everything is as it should be, and after a few tests with the person fully awake the person is discharged. The whole process takes around 1 week. The whole operation is very risky and dangerous
. Even with the technique being constantly refined and improved, one in three of all patients who go in for this operation die, as the operation is tremendously complex, there are many vessels that have to be connected correctly, and even if the surgeons undertake everything 100% correctly, there is still the possibility of the host body rejecting the brain. When an operation has complications, then the patient almost certainly dies within a week, there is no going back, such as putting the brain back into the original body. If everything works well and the patient survives, they normally have around a month to adjust to their new body. So, for example, if someone was 2 meters tall was given a new body of someone who was 1.9 meters tall, they will have to learn to walk slightly differently (it is rare for the donor body to exactly match the original body of the patient). For most, this adjustment is a slow process, and the physical side effects are usually head aches that can vary in intensity and seriousness. The operation can only be carried out with the patient alive; if, for example, someone dies in an accident, there is no way of rushing them off to the operating theatre to place their brain into a new host body. Once the patient has died, blood stops flowing into the brain, which means the brain is damaged beyond repair and cannot be saved.
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