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Once confined to the realm of science fiction, the mission to settle Mars is gaining serious traction, supported by influential and visionary individuals. While not everyone is on board, and the endeavor faces numerous obstacles, it's becoming a growing reality for many.
The reality of life on Mars would differ greatly from our Earthly existence. However, some of the contrasts may be unexpectedly profound, and we may encounter surprising parallels that defy our assumptions.
Could the red planet actually be more difficult to inhabit than we think? Or could a small, unforeseen factor derail our plans altogether?
10. A Completely Different Atmosphere
It shouldn’t come as a shock to most that oxygen would be hard to come by on Mars. We take the ability to breathe Earth’s air for granted, and rightfully so, given that we've evolved to live in this atmosphere.
What might surprise some is that Mars does, in fact, have an atmosphere. It's significantly thinner—about a hundred times less dense—and much less conducive to life than Earth’s, but it exists nonetheless.
Made up of more than 95% carbon dioxide, breathing on Mars would be impossible without help. However, Mars’s atmosphere does contain a small amount of oxygen—0.13%—which, though minimal, is still intriguing compared to the emptiness of space. And if we could convert the abundant carbon dioxide into oxygen, perhaps using plants, the situation might seem a lot less bleak.
9. Time – Similar, Yet Different
A day on Earth lasts 24 hours. It’s a simple fact, but one that profoundly shapes our daily lives. Humans—and really all living creatures—have adapted to this regular cycle of day and night. Our sleep patterns are built around it, and entire cultures have evolved in response to this rhythm.
Would Mars have a vastly different day length compared to what we know on Earth? Surprisingly, not by much. A day on Mars is about 24 hours and 40 minutes—just 40 minutes longer than Earth's day. It’s a subtle difference, noticeable but not enough to cause significant disruption.
However, the most striking difference lies in the length of a year. Because Mars is farther from the sun, its year spans 687 days, almost twice as long as Earth's 365 days. While the days are similar, the seasons are considerably longer.
8. Terrifying Radiation
Mars, with its thin atmosphere, potential for oxygen, and relatively familiar day-night cycles (though with much longer seasons), might start to seem like a manageable place to settle. But there’s a major obstacle: ionizing radiation.
Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a magnetosphere to shield it from harmful radiation. It wasn’t always this way—around 4.2 billion years ago, Mars had a magnetosphere similar to ours. However, this protective field vanished for reasons scientists still debate, leaving Mars exposed and contributing to its thin atmosphere. This lack of protection makes Mars a tough environment for human settlement.
Without a protective magnetic field, and with the added dangers of solar flares and cosmic rays, the radiation on Mars can reach up to 2,000 millirads per day—vastly higher than the 22 millirads astronauts encounter aboard the International Space Station. Long-term exposure could lead to radiation poisoning and a significantly increased risk of cancer, making this a critical issue to address if we hope to settle on Mars.
7. Smaller Planet, But Plenty of Land
Mars is much smaller than Earth, raising concerns about whether there would be enough space to establish large colonies. These concerns are heightened if the plan involves moving all of humanity or if Mars’ population grows to match Earth's.
Despite its smaller size, Mars is a desert planet—something Earth definitely is not. Given that Earth is mostly covered by oceans, the amount of land available is actually quite similar on both planets.
Naturally, some water would need to be introduced through terraforming. However, Earth's vast oceans, full of salt water, aren’t exactly practical for human use either. While there are plenty of challenges to overcome, overcrowding probably won’t be one of them.
6. Evidence of Life?
Mars, as we currently know it, has never supported life. Despite some lingering conspiracy theories and outdated beliefs about Martians, the planet remains lifeless. If you asked most people, they’d likely affirm that Earth is the only planet in our solar system with life.
Surprisingly, scientists aren’t so certain. The question remains unanswered, depending largely on how we define ‘life.’ Mars has no animals or plants, a fact we’re fairly confident in. The planet may have been more hospitable in the past, but even then, there’s no evidence of fantastical creatures roaming its surface.
What Mars might harbor, however, are microorganisms like bacteria. There have been signs of methane detected on Mars, a gas that could be linked to primitive life. But some scientists have found no such evidence. Samples have been gathered for further study, but the analysis likely won’t happen for another decade or so.
What does this mean for us and our potential colonies? If space bacteria do exist, it’s crucial that we understand this before making contact.
5. Extreme Temperature Fluctuations
Being farther from the sun, Mars is naturally cold. This isn’t surprising in itself, especially considering its thin atmosphere struggles to retain heat. However, the real surprise is that, as a desert planet, Mars shares key characteristics with deserts on Earth.
Temperatures on the Martian surface can vary dramatically. While it remains quite cold for most of the year, nighttime temperatures can plunge far below freezing. The average temperature is a frigid -85°F (-65°C).
Surprisingly, during summer near the equator, temperatures can rise to a pleasant 68°F (20°C), making it possible for liquid water to exist. This is far more livable than one might expect. If we could somehow engineer an atmosphere, Mars could become even more hospitable.
4. The Challenges of Lower Gravity
Mars has only 38% of Earth's gravity, meaning you'd weigh just 38% of what you do now (so, where do I sign up to go there?). While low gravity might sound fun initially, it becomes increasingly challenging, especially when you factor in things like strong winds. The real difficulties become apparent when you consider how it affects our bodies and the unexpected challenges it may pose.
The human body is designed to function under Earth's gravity. Our bones, muscles, heart, and veins are all adapted to withstand its pull. Even after just eight days in space during the Apollo missions, astronauts experienced severe muscle and bone loss, requiring assistance to exit their capsules. Low gravity also places stress on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart problems later in life.
Moreover, childbirth could become a major challenge or even impossible, as our bodies have evolved to operate within Earth’s gravitational environment. Ultimately, we don’t know for certain. The gravity on Mars may be sufficient to avoid these complications—or it may not. It remains an unsettling unknown, one we will have to discover for ourselves.
3. The Challenges May Be Surmountable
The key takeaway is that life on Mars may be more achievable than we think. Although it presents certain challenges when compared to Earth, many of these differences are not insurmountable, and our brilliant scientists are steadily working toward making this dream a reality.
NASA's Perseverance rover successfully produced oxygen on Mars on its own. While it was an energy-intensive process, this first attempt proved to be a success and will only improve over time. Scientists are optimistic, suggesting that water could be next. Plans to terraform Mars, making it more Earth-like and habitable, are already in progress. Even daunting challenges like the high radiation levels are finding potential solutions, such as the proposed 'hobbit hole' shelters for colonists.
Human ingenuity knows no bounds, and our ability to adapt and find solutions to survive on Earth is unparalleled. Whether or not Mars should be colonized is a matter of opinion, but the real question isn’t about its feasibility. If the planet presents challenges, advancements will pave the way for overcoming them.
2. Plants Might Thrive After All
Growing plants on Mars is undoubtedly a challenge, but it is also crucial for our long-term survival. Surprisingly, it may not be as difficult as we initially thought. While there are many hurdles to clear, research and experiments are yielding promising results. In fact, the first plant we aim to cultivate has already been chosen.
Alfalfa, a plant that currently grows on Earth, has shown the ability to thrive in volcanic soil, which closely resembles the Martian soil. While not suitable for consumption, alfalfa could be vital in producing sustainable fertilizer and converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, potentially supporting life on Mars.
We would need to address issues such as water, radiation, and other environmental factors. However, simulated tests conducted on Earth in Mars-like conditions have already proven successful in growing plants. Though challenges remain, the prospect of living on Mars may be entirely feasible.
1. Ice-Covered, Salty Water
The good news is that Mars has had, and likely still possesses, water on its surface. The bad news is that it's frozen and highly salty. Much like Earth's oceans, salty water isn't nearly as useful as fresh water from rivers or lakes. However, on a planet that’s far from hospitable to life, it could prove to be a critical resource.
Increasing evidence suggests that Mars once had liquid, salty water flowing near its equator as recently as 400,000 years ago. While that may seem like a long time, it's relatively recent in the grand scope of cosmic history, especially considering Earth had already been teeming with life by that point.
Currently, if Mars still contains water—and scientists are confident it does—it is likely to be located near the poles, still frozen and salty. Nevertheless, this is still positive news. Ice that can be melted and purified is far more useful than having no water at all.
