8 high-tech innovations that will put humans on Mars

From interplanetary ships to humanoid robots, these are the technologies that will help establish the first human colony on Mars.

by Michael d'Estries  |  Friday, March 31, 2017

by Michael d'Estries
Friday, March 31, 2017

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The AstroRad radiation suit aims to protect astronauts from damaging gamma rays during their time to and on Mars. The AstroRad radiation suit aims to protect astronauts from damaging gamma rays during their time to and on Mars. (Photo: StemRad)

An illustration of an early Mars colony.
NASA's 'Valkyrie' robot is laying the technical groundwork for what will eventually become a fully functional robot assistant on Mars.
The AstroRad radiation suit aims to protect astronauts from damaging gamma rays during their time to and on Mars.
Potatoes have been called a Mars supercrop for their ability to grow in conditions similar on the planet's harsh surface.
Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will send data from Mars to Earth at speeds 100 times faster than current radio-frequency communications.
The Martian greenhouse concept as created by researchers based out of the University of Arizona.
The 3D-printed 'Ice House' would use the abundance of liquid water and low temperatures in Mars' northern latitudes to create a dual-layer ice shell.
The development of carbon nanotubes will allow for the transport of lightweight, but strong materials to Mars.
A concept illustration of SpaceX's proposed interplanetary spaceship.
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AstroRad radiation suit

To protect astronauts traveling to and exploring Mars from harmful gamma radiation, Lockheed Martin has teamed with Israeli firm StemRad to develop a specialized deep-space vest.

Called the AstroRad, the vest will protect vital human tissue by shielding all of the major organs from radiation. To ensure equal protection across different body types, the lightweight material will also be tailor-made for each astronaut.

"This product will enable human deep space exploration," CEO Oren Milstein, a graduate of The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said in an interview. "Our breakthrough has come in creating the architecture of the multi-layered shield to accurately cover the most important organs."

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