To prepare for a journey to Mars, astronauts must possess extraordinary resilience due to the long duration of the mission and the unique challenges of isolation. Unlike current astronauts who face shorter missions and can rely on earthly routines, Martian exploration demands candidates who can thrive in high-pressure, confined environments. Outdoor professionals like Joe Dituri, who undertook a 100-day underwater experiment, offer insight into the physical and mental preparations needed for such journeys. His experiences could inform the future of Mars missions and the qualities required in potential astronauts.
On his 86th day underwater, I dove down to visit him, following a guide rope through bathtub-warm water until I could duck into the habitat's entrance.
Dituri was teaching a biomedical-engineering class. Despite the lab's chugging air pumps, cramped shower, and surrounding darkness, he was simply stoked about biomedical research.
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