Going to Mars

donn

donn

Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Messages
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As always happens work turns to boredom which turns into daft conversations. Topic for this particularly extra dull Friday afternoon was space travel; specifically a manned mission to Mars. So, we've had the 'what would you pick if the world/time/everything ended/zombies overrun the show' type threads, so I'm curious about something.
The crew for the first manned mission to Mars has been chosen and NASA has decided it absolutely positively must have a BF member on board. So folks what knife/'hawk/tools do you take with you?? I've read that Martian soil is pretty reactive/corrosive stuff.
Its over to you.
D.
 
Well that's a nice change from flesh eating zombies and wild dogs ;)

I'd want a multi-tool and a small to medium sized fixed blade knife.

My first two priorities would be ease of use with gloves on and corrosion resistance. I don't recall enough about multitool specs to pick one--maybe a SOG T60 PowerPlier with the Titanium Nitride coating.

I agree with the posts below. You probably wouldn't need a fixed blade. A Ti pry bar or rock hammer/ice axe type thinggie or other dedicated tools would be more usegul. If I did bring a fixed blade I'd get a custom "Mars knife". I first thought of Stellite/Talonite, but IIRC it's not as tough as 440V or ATS-34 or S30V (just going by what I've read). I think you'd want toughness in case you were forced to misuse the fixed blade as a prybar. I think I'd go with S30V or ATS-34. I'd look for something that felt right with and without any gloves I meght wear. I'd also look for a high flat grind to balance strength and slicing ability.

If I wanted a folder, I'd take a Spyderco Military based on the glove/corrosion concerns.
 
I don't think the Mars environment os so much corrosive as it is highly variable in temperature. If memory serves, that is what causes the various landers to eventually cease function - extreme temperature cycling.

Anyway, I would want a leatherman-type tool that could be used with my space suit gloves. I think I would have more occasion to repair some equipment than dig for roots or spear a Martian.

Oh, wait. Would that crazy-haired, left-behind-from-the-last-mission guy from the movie "Mission to Mars" (or whatever) be there? In that case, I would something for self defense too, at least until he calmed back down and remembered the thing about the DNA.

Scott
 
Mars... You'd not only have to bring a knife along you'd have to bring stuff to cut with it! What is there that you could use a knife on? Personally I'd rather have something that looked like one of those alpine climbing/hammer/hook/ice axe things. It would have to crush, chip, pry, dig, and keep me from falling off stuff.

I'd want a multi tool especially designed to work with the fittings, fixtures, and materials of the equipment that got me there and was intended to keep me alive. Other than that we're talking geologist tools not wilderness survival. I'd rather have a sturdy folding shovel/pick. Mac
 
I agree with Pict, Tools more specific to the mission would be called for. What would be cool is to see the designes of a mission specific multi-tool and the pick axe thingy!
 
What tools did they take to the moon? They would probably take something similar. Mac
 
I'd want a multi tool specific to the equipment on the habitat/lander I'd be in....I'd also take a good old SAK as it should be the pocket knife ambassador of humankind! Maybe a cybertool 41, so i'd have more tools to fix the lowest-bidder gov't contract oxygen generators....
 
I agree with the axe idea. Something like a mountaineering or ice ax. Also a multitool would be good. If I had to pick a current production one it would probably be a TiNi Powerlock. It has a 1/4" adapter for sockets and is built very solidly. A SAK for personal grooming and small tasks would be good as well. Maybe a Cybertool 34 and a Midnite Minichamp.
 
No folders to Mars, or multitols! There is micro dust there that will clog everything, even air filters and won't allow for deployment. And I thing taking little sharp things with you is a bad idea, because if the suits gets cut, you won't need anything again... Only large, wieldy tools.
 
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