Many scientists are currently exploring the idea of inhabiting other planets. With global warming and so many other issues currently facing our planet it would make sense to investigate if we could live on another planet. The top candidate is Mars, often referred to as the red planet because it looks like an orange-red star which is caused by the rust in the rocks.[4] One big concern and question about living on mars is, where would we live? Where would we sleep and work? The atmosphere and conditions of mars are such that we can’t build houses like we would on earth so what adjustments would need to be made? Is it even possible to construct places to live on Mars? These are all things that would need to be taken into account before sending astronaut’s out into space to live on Mars for good.

In my opinion the first thing that needs to be considered is location. Another thing is that whatever the structure is, it has to be easily made by a robot because the astronauts have to have somewhere to live as soon as they get to mars so the robots that are already on Mars would have to be able to build whatever the structure is with the supplies that is sent to them.

The next thing we need to consider is the radiation. Mars is exposed to large amounts of radiation at random. These episodes of radiation are called Solar Flares. Solar Flares are clouds of radiation that come from the sun. The Earth deflects them due to our planets magnetic field. The Mars atmosphere is so thin that if not protected the radiation would kill the astronauts. Luckily, we have the technology to warn when these solar flares are coming so now it is just a manor of building a shelter that the astronauts can go to if there is a large amount of radiation on its way. [5]

The solution currently proposed by scientists is to dig a hole. This will be done by the rover before any of the supplies even arrives.[3] Because the building is deeper it will provide some protection from the radiation. Basically, all the structures would be in “the basement”. Once the supplies arrive the rover, would take it and set it up. Once set up the rover would cover the buildings main areas with sand and rocks from the planet. When Solar Flares are on their way all astronauts would have to go to that area to stay fully protected from the radiation. [3, 5]

Watch from (8min and 30sec) to (10min and 50 second) for more information on Solar Flares

As stated, before the Rover would be setting up the habitat. Inflatable habitat pods are what is currently proposed by Mars One (a private company similar to NASA but their sole goal is to get people living on Mars)and the most common idea.[3] These pods would be brought to the hole that was already dug by the robots after landing on mars. They would then inflate and connect by airlock. Then the buildings are covered by sand and they are theoretically ready to be lived in.[2] Of course, running water, electricity and oxygen the astronauts can breath without their suits on are all other hurtles that will need to be tackled before anyone could live inside these pods. For now, this is a good start and scientist are working everyday to improve and innovate new ideas.

(Photos from Mars One Website)[3]

Living without windows and being in a constant state of fear of dying by radiation doesn’t seem like a permanent solution. Looking for ways to keep the astronauts mentally healthy in these conditions will be the next tasks of these scientists.[1] But for now, we have plenty of ideas to start building and put a plan into motion.

With some of the pictures available to us it is easy to visualize a population on Mars. Families and people living their lives on a different planet. It is almost something out of science fiction. Of course, the plan currently proposed can only support a certain amount of people and the limited resources that we know about on Mars, would make it very difficult for other habitats to be built without resources sent to Mars from Earth. This means any habitation, in my opinion, would not be able to function without Earth.

It means that, for now, our hope to have a “second Earth” is far off. The good news is, living on Mars seems to be something that could be accomplished in our lifetime.[3] Out of many ideas proposed right now it seems that our astronauts will be living pod like homes covered with sand to keep them safe from the radiation.

Bibliography
1. https://explore.ucalgary.ca/life-mars-what-would-human-habitat-look

2. https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/here-s-what-future-mars-lunar-space-colonies-could-look-ncna889341
3. https://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap
4. https://www.esa.int/kids/en/learn/Our_Universe/Planets_and_moons/Mars_-_the_red_planet
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPyjVkthx6o