🚀 go-pugleaf

Tristan

I think you should be alright with TIG.  The atmospheric pressure on
Mars in lower.  I think as you lower the pressure of the gas you are
running an arc in, the arc spreads, but for this difference in pressure
it will be by not much.  Maybe you would notice a slightly softer arc
compared to on Earth.  But I don't think it's as much as would matter.
I suggest TIG because you can weld just about any metal and for filler
you can use scrap bits of the same substance, provided by the locals,
when you are welding to make pretty good welds.  And you can take some
sticks (SMA rods) for when it's just plain old iron (I take it the "Red
Planet" is red because of lots of iron oxide in the rocks?  I'm not an
astronomer.  Would be happy to be stood corrected here).

The winds are very fast on Mars, so you would need to protect your
shield around the torch.  Make sure you take a tent.  With the
atmospheric pressure being low, although the winds are very fast they
don't exert much force and an ordinary tent from WalMart would be just
fine.

Have a good trip.  Tell us what is was like when you get back.  Maybe
you can run a weblog while you are out there so we can see the projects
you are doing.

Richard S.