Planets and Moons ID: 20282

Terraforming the Martian Atmosphere

Animations by Bailee DesRocher Released on July 30, 2018

One of the challenges of terraforming Mars is to increase its atmospheric pressure, which is currently less than 1% that of Earth. The Martian polar caps, minerals, and soil could all provide sources of carbon dioxide and water to thicken the atmosphere. Unfortunately, a new study by the MAVEN science team finds that processing all sources available on Mars would only increase the pressure to about 7% that of Earth, far short of what is needed.

Learn more about this finding.

Animation Credits

Bailee DesRocher (USRA): Lead Animator
Michael Lentz (USRA): Artistic Director
Bruce Jakosky (LASP): Scientist
Dan Gallagher (USRA): Producer
Walt Feimer (KBR Wyle Services, LLC): Support
Aaron E. Lepsch (ADNET Systems, Inc.): Technical Support

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab