Martian Packing List

[cubinator]

In this game, we will try to think of things you might need on a pioneering trip to Mars that would not be immediately apparent. Please include some description of what the item or skill would be useful for. Here are some examples:

1. Martian colonists might find it useful to learn sign language, as a backup for their spacesuit radio.

2. Since Mars receives a lot less sun energy than Earth, you probably wouldn't need to wear sun shades there very much.

3. A simple household broomstick would likely suffice for cleaning dust off solar panels.

4. It would be a good idea to have some way of maintaining and harvesting a colony of cockroaches to cook and eat, as they are hardy and nutritious.

[kerbiloid]

5. Gauze. It's dusty there.

Spoiler

 

[Fraston]

6. guns. for propulsion. this would actually be quite useful, if you brought a

7. raft along. just be careful of people behind you!

[HansonKerman]

8. Some explosives, in case a satellite found a  cool  mineral deposit far below the surface.

[kerbiloid]

9. A flag - to plant
10. A foot - to print.

Edited August 7, 2018 by kerbiloid

[StrandedonEarth]

11. :Several thermonuclear explosive devices. For melting a lot of ice, quickly.

12. Now you'll need sunglasses after all.

[Chel]

13: Cat plushies. I have no idea why. Maybe for the kids? ???

[cubinator]

14. A sled, to sled down Nilokeras Scopulus if it is smooth enough.

[kerbiloid]

15. Moar thermonuclear explosive devices. For melting a lot of ice, quickly, and just for fun.

[Orc]

16. Snacks. Moar Snacks. Moar moar Snacks. I think Jeb would agree.

17. Orbital Solar focus mirrors for concentrating  sunlight. Use that for melting the South Pole, and if you can get the focus fine enough signing your name on the Martian terrain. 

18. von Neumann toolkit. 

19. Potatoes (read "The Martian" by Andy Weir).

20. A Kindle with a very BIG capacity.

 

 

[kerbiloid]

21. Nearly forgot. A peeler.

Spoiler

 

[cubinator]

22. Salt. That stuff in the ice is NOT OK to put on your potatoes...

23. A piano. On a ship with several hundred tons of payload mass, you can probably spare 300 kg for an upright.

[ARS]

24. Nuclear reactors and lots and lots of RTGs because solar panels simply isn't enough there

25. Fans and vacuum cleaner, for dealing with dust

26. Rocket launchers, for when you need to put a simple microsats quickly in orbit and need a portable launcher

27. Internet connection tower, can't live without it

[kerbiloid]

28. Pieces of copper and zinc. To make electricity if reactor is down

Spoiler

 

[HansonKerman]

29: A trash can. To barf in. Because Mars can make you feel that way. (this is just another Really Really Really Tall Building).

[Kernel Kraken]

30: A fire extinguisher.

In case of an escape pod malfunction.

[kerbiloid]

31. A multi-tool. Because a real spaceman must have it.

Spoiler

32. One more multi-tool.
Because otherwise how to screw a nut on a bolt with just one multi-tool?

Spoiler

33. Pliers.

Spoiler

Because otherwise what to do if forgot one multitool at home?

[MDZhB]

On 8/6/2018 at 9:12 PM, cubinator said:

Since Mars receives a lot less sun energy than Earth, you probably wouldn't need to wear sun shades there very much.

Actually, I'm pretty sure that UV is a much bigger problem on Mars than on Earth, due to the thinner atmosphere and lack of ozone. So,

34. Really good sunglasses.

Edited August 10, 2018 by MDZhB

[HansonKerman]

35: A list of chores. For chores.

[cubinator]

36. A manual override for the pod bay doors, in case of rogue AI.

37. A list of paradoxes, in case of rogue AI.

[HansonKerman]

38: A reprogram on a disc, 

1 hour ago, cubinator said:

in case of rogue AI.

 

[kerbiloid]

39/ A discombobulator. To combobulate.

[HansonKerman]

40: Some plushies. For the kids. 

41: A Rubiks Cube. For anyone who's like my dad.

[Kernel Kraken]

42: A copy of The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Edited August 12, 2018 by Kernel Kraken

[IncongruousGoat]

43: A towel, to go with the copy of The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy

44: A slide rule, in case of calculator failure