Manyapu and a fellow crew member dig for bacteria samples in the Utah desert as part of a biology experiment. Credit: Kavya Manyapu
Utah-based Mars habitat. Credit: Kavya Manyapu
Kavya Manyapu is a Boeing 777 aircraft engineer. While airplane travel is one thing…a space trek to Mars is on her mind too.
Manyapu recently spent two weeks in a desert environment with limited water and food supplies. She took part in an Analogue Mars Habitat adventure – living within a two-story cylindrical building stationed in southern Utah.
“Traveling to Mars is not an easy job,” Manyapu said.
For Manyapu it was one small step toward realizing her ultimate goal: going to the red planet. Since she was a kid, her ambition has been to travel to outer space. The 26-year-old Boeing engineer recently got a chance to experience what it might be like to live on the red planet, thanks to a Mars Society habitat.
The Mars Desert Research Station is one of four Mars base-like habitats built by the Mars Society. And throughout the two weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station, Manyapu and her fellow researchers conducted experiments. Those experiences are designed to try to think ahead on issues that will become daunting challenges for a true expedition to Mars.
At the moment, there’s no set date for a true-to-life trip to Mars. But, if the call comes, Manyapu is prepared to become a modern-day Columbus!
Tune into a special video on Manyapu’s Mars adventure.
Go to:
http://www.boeing.com/Features/2011/07/bca_777_engineer_07_21_11.html
By Leonard David (special thanks to Eric Olson)