Human settlement of Mars isn’t as far off as you might think

However, there are those who believe it to be a mere illusion at best, or possibly even an excuse at worst.

on the surface.

In this age of space travel becoming a reality, Mars has come to represent a fantasy destination for the affluent and visionaries who idealise technology's potential. Unfortunately, a common issue exists in how far we've progressed towards sending humans to Mars and how the general public perceives our current position.

I think there are grounds for establishing a human settlement on Mars and it's not as difficult to achieve as some people think. There are several valid reasons to be hopeful about humanity's prospects on the red planet.

Certain innovative engine designs indicate that a trip to Mars and back could be accomplished within a period of two months. However, employing current technology in practice would result in a journey taking roughly six months to Mars and six months to return to Earth.

We have considerable experience with space travel for extended periods on the International Space Station and the Soviet orbiting laboratory Mir. It's possible to reach the Moon safely and, as we've demonstrated with robotic missions, precision landing on its surface can be achieved. There is no technological barrier to prevent humans from making similar landings.

For humans to be able to "sustain themselves independently", in other words, become self-sufficient, is crucial. The red planet has abundant supplies of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen that can be extracted and isolated using established terrestrial processes. Mars offers many intriguing and practical benefits that the moon does not. Moreover, we already possess the technology on Earth that enables us to remain and establish a settlement on Mars by harnessing its own resources.

The side effects of this process, which include carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and argon, can be released through ventilation.

Upon expansion, similar systems could break down oxygen from hydrogen to generate air, fuelling for rockets and water - essential commodities that would no longer have to be brought from Earth. This would simplify interplanetary travel and residing on the Martian surface, as these necessities could be created in situ. Furthermore, producing fuel on the surface would reduce reliance on electric or solar-powered transportation within any future habitat.

Innovative strategies for employing robots to manufacture habitats, landing sites, and all necessary amenities for human life on Mars via 3D printing are under consideration. This approach has the advantage of enabling the production of these necessities on Mars before humans set foot on the planet. Three-dimensional printed homes have already been showcased on Earth.

regularly.

Set against the backdrop of numerous other expeditions into caves, deserts and other harsh environments, she's by no means alone as each year sees new projects embarked upon, allowing scientists to research the physical and psychological effects of long-term stays in such isolated and extreme settings.

Conceived by Dr Robert Zubrin, this plan has been around for over 30 years and has been updated with the latest technology as the private sector has grown. The early concept centred on utilising a Saturn V rocket, employed in the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, to launch people into space.
However, with advancements, individuals can now be transported using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in conjunction with a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

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Several unmanned missions from Earth could transport essential supplies to Mars. This could include a spacecraft that crew members could use to return. Consequently, everything would be in place for the crew to use as soon as they arrived.

Protective measures for astronauts include using the spacecraft itself or building a protective shelter inside the vehicle to shield them from high-energy particles. Similarly, similar ideas could be applied to habitats on the Martian surface created using 3D printing. In addition, settlers could live in underground homes or in Martian caves.

On Mars, there's a gap of a full 24 minutes in communication with Earth. This implies that people settling there will require a tremendous amount of independence and autonomy from an early stage. Although this could pose considerable difficulties, these are by no means impossible to overcome.

The spacecraft launching on the most powerful rocket ever created could be a groundbreaking achievement. Starship, currently being tested at SpaceX's facility in southern Texas, holds the potential to revolutionise space exploration, particularly if it is proven safe and reliable for human transport to the moon and Mars.

A more streamlined programme of lunar and Martian exploration would bring about lower costs, greater payloads, and larger crews, making the process significantly more efficient. Alternatively, even without streamlined processes, all the necessary resources to travel to Mars are already available, with some developments nearing completion. There will be plenty of well-qualified astronauts willing to make the trip.

Applicant for Associate Tutor and PhD candidate in Scientific Philosophy positions.

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