3 ms·
Nitrogen in Earths soil is present in the form of Ammonia, and derived substances. Occurring naturally, it is the product of microbial nitrogen fixation of diaz
by usrbinbash 3y ago
Nitrogen in Earths soil is present in the form of Ammonia, and derived substances. Occurring naturally, it is the product of microbial nitrogen fixation of diazotrophic bacteria, and subsequent biological processing. Plants can use these compounds directly.
Nitrates on mars will probably be in the form of nitrate salts.
Btw. agriculture also requires soil. Which the martian regolith isn't.
> We’d definitely make sure we have enough rockets that they can abort if shit goes south on supply missions
Have enough rockets where? On mars? Using what fuel? Using what ground installations like scaffolds and launch pads? Also, launching between Mars and Earth is only possible during specific time windows. For an Earth-Mars transit, these occur ~once every 2 years. So if "shit goes south" outside these windows, the amount of rockets won't matter.
- anticensor 3y ago> Also, launching between Mars and Earth is only possible during specific time windows. No. It is always possible, but the optimal windows happen every two years. There is another 2nd optimal window, that happens every 5.5 months, which flies by Venus before continuing on to Earth/Mars.
- usrbinbash 3y agoYou are of course correct. I should have said: The lowest energy option for a Mars transfer happens every 24 months. Transfer outside that window is possible, but requires more energy, which increases the transfer time, limits the payload, or both.