How To Colonize Mars

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Colonizing the red planet has always seemed like an idea from a science fiction book. However, as humans began accomplishing feats such as sending a man to the moon all the way up to setting up a temporary residence in space in the form of the international space station the dream of colonizing mars has become a possible reality. Setting up colonies on mars will allow researchers to more easily investigate the red planet. Robots alone are simply not enough to perform certain experiments and investigations. Situations such as the Phoenix lander being unable to test for water are less likely to happen because humans are much more adaptive. It is also an effective way to inspire the younger generation to have interest STEM fields and possibly …show more content…

Mars is the second closest planet to Earth right behind Venus. However, Venus is less desirable due to a combination of its thick atmosphere and its closeness to the sun causing it to be the hottest planet in the Solar System. Another special factor about Mars’ location is that it lies within the habitable zone so it is possible for liquid water to exist on its surface. Water on Mars exists as ice in the polar regions and possibly underneath the surface. It is also very similar to Earth in it’s days and seasons. Each day on Mars lasts 24 hours and 39 minutes and it also has longer but similar seasonal patterns as Earth. These conditions will give the colonists on Mars a sense of familiarity in an unfamiliar environment. Due to Mars’ exposure to sunlight energy can be created easily using solar panels. It also has a thin atmosphere which will help protect the colonists from solar and cosmic …show more content…

Homes can be built by turning regolith the material which covers the surface into concrete. Anytime the colonists go outside their homes they will need a space suit to protect themselves from the radiation. Martian homes can also be built underground by sending rovers beforehand to create large caves. To collect water colonist can extract water from the underground supply. The water can then be used to create oxygen and possibly even fuel by separating it into hydrogen and oxygen.5 To obtain food care packages could be sent from Earth. Food could also be grown on Mars using Martian soil. However, the soil must first be supplemented and some chemicals must be

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