Considering the level of destruction happening on Earth, humans have already started looking for new homes. And fortunately, our friendly neighborhood Mars seems to be an ideal option to settle down. But as we know, no other planet in our solar system is as perfect as Earth for living organisms to thrive and survive. Therefore, humans are surely going to have a hard time adjusting to Mars’ environment. So, let us jump into the future. And see how we can settle on Mars.
What challenges may we face to live on Mars? And what might be the solutions?
As soon as you land on Mars, the first challenge will be the lack of oxygen to breath, as there is only 0.13% of it on Mars. Whereas carbon dioxide makes up about 96% of its atmosphere. So, if we need more oxygen, we either have to bring it along or make it ourselves by extracting from CO2 with machines like NASA’s “Moxie.”
Then the next problem will be the low atmospheric pressure and high radiation that can cause massive damage to our organs and body. Hence, it will be compulsory to wear space suits and live inside buildings with pressure vessels to guard ourselves. Or maybe we would live underground to survive the harsh environment. Plus, a suite will not only keep you warm during winter when the temperature could fall as low as -55 degree Celsius, but it will also protect you from the unpredictable, ever-changing weather that can bring along powerful dust storms.
On top of that, the gravity on Mars is 38% lower than that on Earth. So, taking those initial steps without tumbling around would be a challenge. Hence, you will need to train yourself to walk on its surface without getting mildly hurt.
Once we learn to walk, the next step will be to deal with the unavailability of food due to the lack of fertile soil, sunlight, and water on Mars’s surface. But fortunately, a technique called “Hydroponics,” in which crops can be grown without soil and sunlight can be the best option for this problem. But in this method, we will need water. So, for that, we could dig out the water from the vast reserves of water ice sealed beneath Mars’ surface.
After these basic needs are fulfilled, the time comes to focus on the bigger goal of making Mars habitable for more people by heating it with the help of some pollution. Yes! You heard that right. According to some scientists, the same greenhouse gas that pollutes the Earth would be the key to warming up Mars. These gasses can help trap solar radiation and help build a thicker Martian atmosphere and make the locked water evaporate needed for the rain and snow to fall on Mars.
After maybe a thousand years, there would be enough oxygen for humans to breathe. And finally, we can have a new hope.
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Writer,
Nafis Wahid Nijhum
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE