Existence Will Be Challenging

The foremost challenge of inhabiting Mars is its insufficient atmosphere. While there is some air—predominantly carbon dioxide—it is extremely sparse, with only 1% of Earth’s air density. Next time you're flying at 36,000 feet, remember that the air pressure is still denser than what Mars offers.

Without a suitable atmosphere, venturing outside without a spacesuit would be fatal. Exposing yourself for even a brief moment could lead to your lungs rupturing from the rapid expansion of gases within your body.

Moreover, the thin atmosphere fails to trap heat from the Sun. If you were to settle near the Martian equator, you might experience summer highs around 68°F, but for most of the year, temperatures can plummet to between -60°F and -100°F.

Radiation presents another significant hazard. Due to this and the reluctance of inhabitants to go outside, NASA suggests that any colony on Mars should be built underground. However, digging in the Martian soil poses its own difficulties due to low gravity. A robot from the 2018 InSight mission could easily dig over 16 feet on Earth but struggled to penetrate more than one foot on Mars.

Expecting luxurious living conditions underground is unrealistic. Imagine being confined at home during a pandemic, but in a much smaller space.

Agriculture poses a serious challenge as well. A yearly supply ship might sustain a few scientists, but it wouldn't support a full colony. With limited water and air, crops would struggle to survive. Additionally, the Martian soil contains harmful chlorine. Even if a plant species were genetically modified to withstand such conditions, its produce would likely be toxic to humans.

Is Terraforming the Solution?

Could we transform Mars into a more hospitable environment for humans? Ideas include enriching the atmosphere with oxygen, melting polar ice caps, and importing vast amounts of fresh soil.

If we attempted to terraform Mars, could we create conditions similar to Earth? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

In 2019, Elon Musk proposed detonating nuclear bombs at Mars' poles to initiate global warming. We don't know how much carbon dioxide is trapped there, but let's assume it could thicken the atmosphere enough to support temperate climates. If Mars lacks sufficient carbon dioxide, we could always share some of Earth's surplus greenhouse gases.

Once we decide to make Mars's atmosphere breathable for humans, we would need to introduce algae into Martian bodies of water (importing water if necessary) to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. However, this approach has its problems. During solar storms, the Sun ejects fast-moving electrons. On Earth, our magnetic field protects us, but Mars lacks this shield. Consequently, every year, solar activity strips away part of the Martian atmosphere.

If this atmospheric erosion continues, Mars would need continual re-terraformation every few thousand years. Moreover, the process of photosynthesis is slow; it could take centuries, if not millennia, to make Martian air breathable. Terraforming would hinge on the hope that photosynthesis can make the planet livable before solar activity destroys it.

Even if we manage to establish a presence on Mars before the Sun takes its toll, humans would face radiation risks. Data from the Mars Odyssey probe indicates that inhabitants might receive a harmful dose of radiation every 24 years.

While sending astronauts for exploration might be safe for a few years, it is premature to consider permanent relocation.

Dr. Jim Green from NASA's Planetary Science Division has proposed a potential fix to create a makeshift magnetic field. Placing a massive superconducting magnet at the first Lagrange point between Mars and the Sun could disrupt solar winds, potentially stabilizing the Martian atmosphere and making the planet safer for human habitation.

Although it's theoretically possible to create such a magnet with today's technology, it would require around ten trillion metric tons of raw materials—more resources than what has gone into every man-made structure on Earth combined.

Imagine if humanity united to make life on Mars a reality, halting all Earth-centered projects. After giving the planet an atmosphere and electric field, it might become viable for human life. Yet, existence there would still be fraught with difficulties.

On Mars, if you throw a rock upward, it will ascend much higher before falling back down due to weaker gravity. When water evaporates, it will rise three times higher than what we see on Earth, causing most of it to drift toward the north pole. Consequently, Mars could have a single ocean, while the rest would likely be arid, with minimal land available for farming.

Paul Hartogh from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research highlights another issue: high-altitude clouds would leave water vapor exposed to the Sun's radiation. In summers, this radiation could be potent enough to break H2O molecules into hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals, resulting in the gradual loss of water on Mars. Unlike Earth, where water can be recycled indefinitely, Martian settlers would need methods to generate new water to replace what is lost.

Mars's dryness also makes it vulnerable to intense dust storms, which can engulf the entire planet every few years. Terraforming would not eliminate these storms, as much of Mars would remain parched. In fact, a thicker atmosphere might exacerbate weather conditions, with dust absorbing sunlight and raising temperatures by up to 80°F. Summers on a terraformed Mars could easily reach 200°F.

The idea of terraforming planets may captivate our imaginations, but altering a planet’s environment won't address the fundamental reasons for its current state.

What Will Life on Mars Be Like?

Given that terraforming Mars appears unfeasible for the foreseeable future, inhabitants will have to depend on life support systems, which also have their limitations.

On Earth, nature effortlessly recycles air and water. However, technology still struggles to replicate this efficiency. The International Space Station (ISS) can recycle 90% of its water and 40% of the air used by its crew, but it requires resupply approximately eight times a year.

Astronauts on Mars won't enjoy the same luxury of regular resupplies, making resource conservation critical. Due to health concerns, the ISS doesn't attempt to reclaim moisture from waste, but on Mars, every drop will be invaluable.

Science fiction often paints a picture of thrilling explorations on Mars, but the reality will likely focus on resource conservation. Laura Shaw, the ISS Program Lead for Exploration Life Support Systems, suggests that astronauts will be closely monitored to prevent resource depletion, with meal plans extending up to three years in advance. Are you craving something extra? Expect your plate to be filled with more mashed potatoes next holiday season.

While astronauts may cherish their time in space, strict regulations can transform a once-in-a-lifetime experience into a routine. Life on Mars will likely follow an even more regimented schedule. The excitement of discovery will be overshadowed by the need to adhere to survival protocols.

Elon Musk envisions sending a million people to Mars by 2050. However, while his focus is on developing the necessary spacecraft, ensuring the survival of such a population will be an even greater challenge.

I genuinely hope to witness a few elite astronauts set foot on Mars in my lifetime. Yet, unless technology evolves far beyond our current expectations, we are not prepared to establish cities on another planet.

For now, the majority of us will remain on Earth. Let's focus on protecting the only home we have.