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A new study reveals how humans could potentially colonize Mars and create an autonomous research base that can support lived missions for many years.
Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a plan in several stages, which involves sending a robot on the red planet to build the base, using the natural resources of the planet to maintain it. The study was accepted for publication in Acta Astronautica.
The researchers propose to install a base at the north pole of Mars because of the natural resources of this region.
"The poles can pose more problems in the beginning, but they are the best location in the long run because they harbor natural resources that we can use," said Anne-Marlene Ruede, lead author of the study. .
Ruede continued, "We wanted to develop a strategy based on the technologies selected accordingly and define a test scenario so that, in 20 years, astronauts can carry out this type of mission.
Their plan follows a NASA competition calling on different teams to submit 3D printed habitats that they believe could be used to colonize Mars in the future.
According to scientists, the research base would consist of three different modules and would be described as a "minimal living space".
A polyethylene fiber dome and an ice cover 3 meters thick would cover the structure, giving it the appearance of an igloo.
"The dome would also represent an extra living space, provide a second barrier to protect the crew from radiation and micrometeorites, and help maintain the constant pressure inside the base," said the spokesman. ;study.
In addition, researchers are considering a crane system that would orbit the red planet to serve as a point of transfer of goods between shuttles coming from the Earth.
However, before sending humans to Mars, a team of robots would build the base and test all available natural resources.
The researchers think that the poles would be the most likely place to build a base because traces of
"Layered deposits" of ice and dust near poles.
"All of this would make the research base stand-alone in the long run," the study notes.
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