How Mark Watney Produced Potatoes in The Martian: A Study in Survival and Imagination

The movie The Martian, which stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney, showcases an impressive survival scenario. In the film, Watney ingeniously uses his ingenuity and available resources to produce potatoes on Mars. This article delves into the methods he employs, providing insights into both the fictional and realistic aspects of potato production on Mars.

Using Martian Soil

Watney utilizes the Martian soil as a growing medium, enriching it with essential nutrients to grow potatoes. While real-world Martian soil is riddled with perchlorate, a toxic compound that can hinder plant growth, the movie disregards this issue for the sake of the plot's realism. The film demonstrates the concept of using the Martian soil as a base, showing a simplified version of soil amendment.

Feces as Fertilizer

In the movie, Mark Watney utilizes his own human waste as fertilizer to provide necessary nutrients for the potatoes. This serves as a bold, absurd representation of the harsh realities of survival. While this method is not advisable in real life, the film accurately represents the dire circumstances faced by Watney, pushing the boundaries of resourcefulness and creativity.

Water Production

Watney's ability to produce water is a key element of the film. He creates water through a process of combining hydrogen and oxygen, derived from hydrazine, a rocket fuel. This reaction generates water, which he uses to irrigate the potatoes. In reality, this process is highly complex and would require advanced technology. However, for the purpose of the movie, this method is presented as a feasible solution to the water crisis on Mars.

Using the Hab Environment

The Hab Habitat, a pressurized living space, serves as the ideal environment for growing potatoes. Watney uses the habitat's life support systems to maintain the necessary conditions for plant growth, including temperature and atmosphere. The artificial lighting in the Hab provides the light required for photosynthesis, a crucial process for plant growth.

In Real Life, the Challenges Are Much Greater

While the methods used in the film are entertaining and thought-provoking, real-life potato cultivation on Mars faces numerous challenges. The Martian soil is loaded with perchlorate, a toxic compound that can harm both plants and humans. Even a small exposure to Martian dust can be hazardous. The soil's composition makes it fundamentally inhospitable to Earth-based life forms.

Any raw potatoes not processed in a way to kill them (such as boiling or baking) cannot be used to grow potato plants. The vacuum environment on Mars does not 'kill' the potato’s ability to grow, but the harsh conditions would make it extremely challenging. NASA and other space organizations would never send uncooked, vacuum-sealed potatoes on a mission to Mars unless part of a specific experiment, such as the study of low-gravity growth conditions.

Conclusion

The movie The Martian presents a thrilling and imaginative portrayal of how potatoes might be produced on Mars. While the methods are far from realistic, they spark discussions about the profound challenges of human colonization and survival on other planets. For those interested in Mars colonization and human exploration, this film offers both entertainment and a starting point for discussions on the potential and limitations of farming in space.