(Photo courtesy of National Geographic)
Written by Colleen Bement, Editor
I recently completed a re-watch of National Geographic’s brilliant series “Mars” and can’t stop thinking about what it would be like to colonize the red planet. There has been a ton of research on the subject and most of it sounds pretty terrifying. Radiation exposure? I saw the “Stargate SG-1” episode that killed off Daniel Jackson. No, thank you! If I step outside onto the surface my blood could boil like the fizz in a can of Coke. No, thank you! Yes, those mountains, rocks, and canyons are beautiful, but the atmosphere is 95 percent carbon dioxide, and the temperatures dive down to 195 °F. No, thank you! Yet the “Mars” series made it seem attainable. Build the colony deep down in a lava tube for protection, ideally, one that has ice, build a robust hydroponics unit, and pray nothing goes wrong.
Reaching back to my childhood I truly wanted to live on the moon. “Space:1999” made it seem amazing. Yet the moon seems so desolate while the red planet seems far more interesting. Mars has long fascinated humanity as the closest planet to Earth in our solar system. Over the past few decades, there has been a growing interest in exploring the Red Planet, with various space agencies planning missions to send humans to Mars. Yet with recent advancements in technology, living on Mars is no longer just science fiction. Let’s explore the possible future.
Firstly, it’s important to understand that living on Mars is no easy feat. The planet has a very thin atmosphere, with no breathable air and extreme temperatures ranging from -195 °F to 70 °F. This means that anyone living on Mars would need to live in a completely self-sustaining environment, with no access to the resources we take for granted on Earth. One of the most critical aspects of living on Mars would be providing a sustainable source of food. Mars has no soil or organic matter to grow crops, so any food production would have to be done through hydroponic or aeroponic methods. This would require a lot of energy and resources, as well as careful management of water and nutrients. Probably a lot of ketchup to eat those Mars dust-grown potatoes. Just kidding!
Another significant challenge would be finding a sustainable source of energy. Mars has no fossil fuels or other natural resources, so any energy production would need to come from renewable sources such as solar or wind power. This would require a significant investment in infrastructure and technology, as well as careful planning to ensure energy is available 24/7. Also, living on the red planet would also be a very isolated experience. The planet is over 34 million miles away from Earth, and any communication would be subject to significant delays due to the distance. This means that anyone living on Mars would need to be self-sufficient and able to handle any problems that arise without outside help.
According to an interview with Futurism, Neil deGrasse Tyson said that the idea of living on Mars is “entirely absurd. During the World Government Summit in Dubai in 2018, Dr. Tyson called for space missions to make “rational assessments” and stop deluding people with false promises. Dr. Tyson said “there are two main reasons why humans will never live on Mars: first, it is an inhospitable area where no one would like to live, and second, the radiation levels on Mars demand technology investments beyond our planet’s capacity.
Tyson continues…
I’m skeptical that you’ll find legions of people that will go there and want to stay. Most people do not live in Antarctica or the Arctic for the same reason they will not choose to live on Mars. Secondly, and more importantly, to survive the fatal radiation levels of Mars — the red planet, unlike Earth, has no magnetic field and a very weak atmosphere to shield cosmic radiation — the level of technology needed to protect a big city is impossible to build. Regarding using Martian soil as a resource, he said that same UV radiation shower has turned the soil into a “toxic cocktail.”
Despite these challenges, living on Mars would also offer many unique opportunities. The planet has a unique landscape, with towering mountains, deep canyons, and vast deserts. This would offer opportunities for exploration and discovery that are not possible on Earth. It would be an incredibly challenging but rewarding experience. It would require a significant investment in technology, infrastructure, and resources, but it would also offer opportunities for exploration and discovery that are not possible on Earth. As we continue to advance our knowledge of the Red Planet, it is possible that we may one day see humans living and thriving on Mars. Personally, I’ll cling to the hope As Dr. Helena Russell said in “Space:1999” Never underestimate the extent of human inventiveness. One day humans will invent a way to shield our fragile bodies from radiation and watch “Mars” on Disney+.
Realistically, I will just focus on fantasy. I’ll focus on my favorite subject: Science Fiction and dream of all the possibilities. It is a shame that the “Mars” series was cut to just two seasons. I enjoyed the hell out of it with its unique documentary-styled platform and the exciting space exploration projects of NASA, SpaceX, and other companies, there are boundless story opportunities. Learning from experts like Neil deGrasse Tyson and visionaries like Elon Musk added to the fascination of the show. Nerd Alert News had the pleasure of interviewing a few of the cast and we were able to dive deeper into how the show was made. Actors such as Clémentine Poidatz, Sammi Rotibi, and Evan Hall shared their experiences making the series.
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