Why did NASA send the crew to Mars with 12 potatoes?

Why did NASA send the crew to Mars with 12 potatoes? NASA wanted them to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner together.

Why does the crew of the Ares Bring potatoes to Mars?

The reason he had access to potatoes in space was because the Ares III crew would have been on Mars during Thanksgiving and NASA psychologists thought it would be good for them if they could have food other then the freeze dried space food, so NASA sent them to space with some potatoes which thankfully had buds/eyes ...

Why did NASA send whole refrigerated potatoes?

The potatoes were intended by NASA's psychologists to foster a sense of fellowship among the astronauts, and this nod to the importance of humanity and community turns out to sustain Watney in a much more physical sense.

How did Matt Damon grow potatoes on Mars?

Author Andy Weir came up with a clever solution for this problem. The space toilet used by the Martian astronauts freeze-dried their poop, so it was effectively pathogen-free while preserving those nutrients. Watney collected those freeze-dried poop bags to fertilize his potatoes.

Can you survive on just potatoes The Martian?

Potatoes can help you survive for many months, no doubt about that, but the risks of not having any other nutritional supplements will take its toll eventually. Since there is no vitamin A in potatoes, the person may develop night blindness due to a lack of this crucial vitamin.

Gravity assist scene in The Martian

Can you grow potatoes in human poop?

So, this requires fertilisation, and the only organic matter available to Mark Watney is, of course, human waste. But with human waste comes human pathogens – you wouldn't want to eat vegetables grown that way here on Earth.

How accurate is the movie The Martian?

Science of The Martian: How Scientifically Accurate Is 'The Martian'? The Martian, starring Matt Damon, was quite scientifically accurate. Growing potatoes on Mars can be feasible as the basic mineral content of the soil is adequate, the shelter shown in the movie is quite realistic too.

How long does NASA now have to get Watney food?

How many days of food does Watney need to survive? How long does it take to communicate between Earth and the hab? If Mark wanted them to come rescue him, how long would it take for them to get there? 4 years.

Do astronauts eat potatoes?

Astronauts on the space station can enjoy cornbread stuffing, yams, mashed potatoes, and turkey, and more for Thanksgiving.

How much food did Mark Watney have?

For Watney alone, that will last 300 sols, extended to 400 if he rations. Watney needs 1,500 calories every day. He has 400 sols' supply of food already.

What does 12 G's mean in the Martian?

On the other hand, 12 G-Force aceleration during the takeoff is exaggerate. Escape velocity on Mars is 5 km/s and on Earth ~11 km/s, so the G-force aceleration loads for takeoff would be typically 3g on Earth and 1g on Mars. 12g, even for 30 seconds, might be extremely dangerous for anybody.

How does Watney make potatoes?

Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, survives by fertilizing Martian soil with his feces, slicing potatoes, and planting the cuttings in the soil. This eventually grows him enough food to last hundreds of days.

What did Watney use as fertilizer?

2) Watney grows potatoes in the Martian soil by using human excrement as fertilizer. Watney and his miraculous potato friends. Watney's botany knowledge comes in handy when he realizes that the crew left behind a drawer of potatoes, meant to be a Thanksgiving treat.

Is Mars soil toxic?

Toxicity. Martian soil is toxic, due to relatively high concentrations of perchlorate compounds containing chlorine. Elemental chlorine was first discovered during localised investigations by Mars rover Sojourner, and has been confirmed by Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity.

Can a plant grow on Mars?

Research suggests Martian soil has some of the nutrients plants need to grow and survive (see “Plants' Nutrients,” right). But because of Mars's extremely cold conditions, plants such as Watney's potatoes would need to grow inside a controlled environment, such as his Hab.

What does Mindy Park discover?

A low-level employee who processes Satellite images at NASA Satellite Control (Sat Con), Mindy is the first person on Earth to realize that Watney is still alive.

Can you survive with just potatoes?

"A diet of just potatoes will be deficient in vitamins A, E and K, the minerals calcium and selenium, essential fatty acids, protein and dietary fibre. Although they may provide enough iron for a man, they will not provide enough iron for women.

What was the first vegetable in space?

In October 1995, the potato became the first vegetable to be grown in space. NASA and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, created the technology with the goal of feeding astronauts on long space voyages, and eventually, feeding future space colonies.

Why were potatoes the first vegetable grown in space?

Potatoes and sweet potatoes are serious contenders for space agriculture due to their high carbohydrate content and their tuberous nature that gives them low light requirements. As well, the eyes of potatoes produce sprouts that can be used to grow more plants, thereby making them a simple, reliable food source.

What happened to the potato crops when the airlock exploded?

What happened to the crops when the airlock exploded? The crops froze when the airlock exploded.

What are the next two problems Watney faces?

The first major problem Watney faces is getting stranded and wounded on Mars. The second problem Watney faces is how he is going to survive on mars till help can come. The final problem he faces is how is he going to get to the Ares, so he can leave Mars.

How was The Martian water made?

In “The Martian,” Damon's character, astronaut Mark Watney, produces water by burning leftover rocket fuel and extracts the hydrogen from the resulting chemical reaction.

How long is a day on Mars?

Mars is a planet with a very similar daily cycle to the Earth. Its sidereal day is 24 hours, 37 minutes and 22 seconds, and its solar day 24 hours, 39 minutes and 35 seconds. A Martian day (referred to as “sol”) is therefore approximately 40 minutes longer than a day on Earth.

Is The Martian Iron Man scene possible?

The 'Ironman' Stunt: Impossible

“You can have small portions of your body touching space for relatively long amounts of time,” says Burger. “Once, a guy on a spacewalk had a cut in his suit, and his skin got stuck to the outside of the spacesuit and was touching the vacuum of space.

Are Martians stronger than kryptonians?

Martians have a larger array of powers but Kryptonians are stronger -I think- and have heat vision. The Amazons Attack fight went pretty even. Miss Martian was able to absorb and dodge blows with her shapeshifting and intangibility/invisibility, but it's limited and could be caught unawares.