MARS COLONIZATION
Astronomy
Mr. Gopinath Subramanian

Karis Katekovit 5861050

Varun Saketharam 5861174
Nitinan Yotsakulsate 5861311
Yonlada Nawilaijaroen 5861186
Suchanuch Putaprapasri 5861150
 Table of Content

About Mars ………………………….………………………………………. 1

Reasons to go to Mars ………………………….……………………… 2
Why Mars and not other planets? ………………………….…… 3-4
What are already on Mars? ………………………….………………. 5
What are not already on Mars? ………………………….………… 5
Our initial habitat ………………………….……………………………. 6-7
Our Future habitat ………………………….……………………………. 8-9
Model Drawing ……………………………….……………………………. 10
Materials used for model …………….……………………………. 11
Methods ………………………….………………………………………. 12-16
Conclusion ………………………….………………………………………. 17
References ………………………….………………………………………. 18-19
 1

About Mars

Mars is the 4th closest planet from Sun in the Solar system. It is more
than 142 million miles from the sun. The planet is about one-sixth the size of
Earth. Mars is known as the Red Planet. It gets its red color from the iron in its
soil. Mars has two small moons. Their names are Phobos and Deimos.

Mars’ surface geography is full with rocky canyons, volcanoes and craters
covered with red dust all over. Similar to Earth, Mars has cloud and wind, but
no atmosphere. This wing, combining with the rest dust, can lead to forming a
storm. These storms range from tiny dust storm like tornados to an enormous
dust storm that is huge enough to cover the entire planet.

One of the difference between Mars and Earth would be gravity. While
Earth has a gravity of approximately 9.8 m/s2, Mars is only one third of it.
Therefore, things would drop or move slower than on Earth. Moreover, things
will also weigh less on Mars due to its gravity for about one third of their weight
on Earth.
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Reasons to go to Mars

Stephen Hawking, a famous physicist, said, “I believe we have reached the

point of no return. Our earth is becoming too small for us, global population
is increasing at an alarming rate and we are in danger of self-destructing.”
He suggests that Mars is an obvious choice to go to.

Since the population on Earth is increasing at an increasing rate,

eventually the earth will not be able to hold the amount of people; all the natural
resources will be depleted due to overpopulation. Therefore, interplanetary
settlement is a topic of interest for many astronomers. This is important
because it will be an alternative for human expansion and development. Many
says that earth will gradually be uninhabitable in the near future. Furthermore,
it will be an interesting discovery for scientific research and technological
development. Mars is a rich destination for scientific discovery and robotic and
human exploration as we expand our presence into the solar system. Future
exploration of Mars may also uncover evidence of life, answering one of the
most fundamental mysteries of the cosmos: Does life exist beyond earth?
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Why Mars and not other planets?

On the grounds that human are living in a solar system, alternative

planets for living are Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter. The rest of them are too
far away from the earth which means that it would take plenty of time to get
there. Hence, planets for living that should be taken in consideration are
Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter.
Firstly, Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, has an extreme
temperature range. It is approximately 450℃ in daytime and drops to hundreds
of degree below freezing in nighttime. Mercury has totally no atmosphere.
Therefore, this planet wouldn’t be a good choice to live. Secondly, is Venus.
Its temperature is terribly hot, even hotter than Mercury. The atmosphere is
also toxic due to several existences of Sulphuric Acid. In addition, the pressure
at surface is very high that would kill human. From these reasons, Venus isn’t a
good choice, too. When it comes to Jupiter, a gaseous planet with mostly
helium and hydrogen, is a huge and most massive planet in our solar system.
The gravitational force is 2.4 times more than Earth’s which exceeds condition
of human’s living. Its atmosphere is also very dense. As a result, Jupiter is
unfavorable for human being.
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Why Mars and not other planets?

Eventually, Mars share some similarities with Earth. Its tilt is 25.1℃ and
rotational period of 24 hour 37 minutes. The seasons are in the same way as
Earth does. Mar’s geographic is mountainous and contains a lot of valleys
which are suitable for living. Furthermore, the scientist has hypothesized that
there is a high possibility of water on Mars, which is located under the Mars’s
surface or at the poles.
Consequently, these similarities bring Mars to the best place for human
to stay in. However, there are several problems within this planet. Mars has
lost its magnetic field, as well as its original atmosphere. It is a parameter that
need to be taken in consideration and has to be resolved in the future.
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What are already on Mars?

As far as scientists, and astronomers have been discovering Mars, they know
that Mars has a very thin atmosphere, which deflects the cosmic radiation very little.
This thin atmosphere will be a very dangerous habitat if humans were to live there.
Already, astronauts working in space stations are exposed to cosmic radiation more
than people on Earth; therefore, having a higher risk of getting cancer. On Mars,
because of its thin atmosphere, humans living there would basically be exposed to
almost pure cosmic radiation in which makes habitation on this planet very tough.
Furthermore, scientist have said that Mars contains a high level of Fe O － basically
2 3

called as rust. This can be a huge problem because, anaerobic bacterias can possibly
be present, in this case, Clostridium tetani. However, if scientist were able to avoid
such diseases, and extract Iron from rust with an efficient amount of energy, then
humans can construct a sturdy construction on Mars, which will be a shelter for
human.

What are not on Mars?

There are many things that do not exist on Mars which are essential to life
sustenance. These are plants, animals,and food cycle. Plants are essential for
oxygen production, temperature moderation. Without them, life would be
difficult to survive.
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Our initial habitat

While landing on Mars, the astronaut should aim at landing near

mountainous region. This way, the cosmic radiation coming from the sides of
the mountain is blocked out, leaving only the areas from the top to deal with.
This lowers much more radiation amount and lessen the harmful effects. For
one hour, the astronauts can walk around the surface of the Mars and observe
the environmental condition.
Initially, people have to rely on supplies from earth for their living: food,
water etc. They can rely on earth supplies until a small standard living unit,
which provides people with prevention from cosmic radiation, food, and water
etc. For example, Potato is a great source for carbohydrate, and it has been
proved that it can grow on Martian soil.
During this time, the settlers will be living in capsules they used for
travelling. This is for temporary use of cosmic radiation prevention. Meanwhile,
the people will walk around the test the environment: using devices to observe
oxygen level, cosmic radiation level, and water level on and under the surface.
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Our initial habitat

Also, the Initial habitat observation will be essential to follow up mission to

Mars because it will be able to provide useful informations. For example, if it is
found that most of the local water is located under ground, the next mission to
Mars will bring the drill for drilling water underground. The drill cannot be
brought to Mars in the initial mission because not enough information is
known about Mars. Another example is if most of the oxygen exists in the form
of its combination with iron, also known as rust, the next mission will send
machines that can decompose the rust into its constituents.
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Our Future Habitat

If all the initial processes and setups are executed as expected, then our
ideal future habitat would be a permanent shelter that will comprise of many
living facilities as well as scientific equipments for astronauts to conduct their
research and develop studies on Mars. Living on this rocky planet, astronauts
and humans in the future should have shelters built sturdy enough to withstand
the high wind speed, and cosmic radiation coming in all directions. Hence, the
shelter should be built with certain materials dedicated to this specific purpose.
After the initial setup is complete, astronauts can initiate to construct a
permanent shelter, and start the process of researching on Mars. The intended
structure of the shelter consists of plant lab, human house and water storage
tank, all of which will be built using lead of certain thickness. The main living
unit where humans settle will be built using mainly lead because it is the
material that is most effective at preventing cosmic radiation. Other supporting
materials used for general building can also be used for supplementary.
Furthermore, there will also be a connection from the main living to the
plant lab area, where plants are cultivated. This area can also be used to test
the suitability of the Martian soil to earth’s vegetation. Potato is an exception
since it has been proven that it has the capability to grow in Martian soil.
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Our Future Habitat

However, the plant lab will be covered with a slightly transparent glass
that has a mixture of lead in it. This combination allows the sunlight to be
used by plants and reduce to the least the amount of radiation passing
through it. In addition to sunlight, artificial light bulb that are capable of
providing plants with sufficient energy can also be used. Also, water drill is
set up in near the living unit and is connected directly with the water storage.
Since a lot is still unknown about the planet, the water pumped from
underground has to be checked and distilled using the distillation machine
before it can be used for any purpose.
Finally, we can also start the windmill setup to collect energy. The
average wind speed on Mars is approximately 60 miles per hour, which is
relatively faster than that on Earth. From this, we expect the windmill to be
able to provide us with a lot of energy that can be used for various purposes.
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Model Drawing
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Materials Used For Model

Wires Tray or board

Glass paper Cellophane
Boxes Wire
Glue Water bottle
Tape Plastic tree model
Scissors Pieces of popsicle stick
Decorations Paper bowl
Color Foam two sided tape
Pencils Chopstick
Sand Thick paper
Sphere foam
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Method

Base:
1. Cut the foam into desired size
2. Paint it with brown colors to resemble Mars surface color.

3. After placing all components of the colony, put the decorative on the
Mars surface to further resemble the dust on the surface of Mars. 


Plant lab:
1. Cut the plastic paper into the desired size.
This will be the roof for the plants lab
2. Stick 3 wires to the glass paper in the same
direction to be able to bend.
3. Stick the tape on the wires to attach it with
the plastic paper.
4. Make a door of a plant lab by using cardboard
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Method

Plant:
1. There are total of 8 plants
2. 4 plants planted for the purpose of scientific research,
and the other 4 is for growing food.
3. Green decorative are placed on to the earth soil brought from earth and
the other planted on Martian soil.
4. Tape is used to stick the decorative on to the foam.

Fence:
1. We used the popsicle stick for fence
2. Divide the stick into two equal parts.
3. Put the stick around the foam base. This is to prevent the soil from
falling off the base.

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Method

Main living Unit:

1. Use a cylindrical shaped foam with different sizes
2. We used the two of the 6 inches diameter, one 7 inches and one
5 inches cylindrical foam.
3. Stick the two 6 inches foam together, placed the
7 inches on top and 5 inches on top once again.
4. We painted the structure with grey color and
blue color to represent mirror. 


Water Storage:
1. Use a small bottle of water.
2. Fill in the water bottle with water with slight blue colors to represent
water. For each bottle, different tone of blue color water is out inside.
This is to indicate that water is passed through purifying process.
3. The living unit is located beside the last water storage.

 15

Method

Windmill:
1. There are three types of paper foldings to make a Windmill
2. First, fold the paper into a thin cylinder by rolling it. About 3 to 4 papers
were rolled to increase the thickness of the wall.

3. Fold the paper into a box. This part will be used for attaching the fan
blade with the pole.
4. Fold another paper into a fan blade.
5. Repeat these 3 steps once more to produce another windmill.
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Method

Water Drilling Machine:

1. Use a cylindrical shaped foam of diameter 5 inches for the base.
2. Place tissue paper core vertically on the base.
3. Cut the new Tissue core shorter than the previous one. These are to
resemble the typical water drilling machine.
4. Place the spherical foam on both the cores.
5. Paint it with dark blue and black.
6. Place straws that color with black to
represent water tank.


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Conclusion

In conclusion, from the information found regarding the living conditions

in different planets, Mars is the most suitable planet for human expansion. This
is due to its closest similarity to Earth relative to other planets. With a tolerable
range of temperature and small gravity to hold atmosphere. Humans can easily
adjust to Mars environments. However, other planets within the solar system
have too extreme environmental conditions that are too unfavorable for human
living. For example, Jupiter has very thick atmosphere and contains gases.
Mercury has no atmosphere and extreme temperature during day and night.
Due to this, there are reasons to go to Mars: further scientific research, and
Human colonization.
For our plans of setting up habitat on Mars, we have divided our setup into
two types: the Initial setup and the future setup. Initially, people have to rely on
supplies from Earth until they can build a standard living unit that can provide
people with prevention from cosmic radiation, food and water from
underground with a technology to purify the water.
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References

Dhaliwal, K. (2018, January 17). Why Aren't We On Mars Yet? Retrieved March 22,
2018, from https://spacecentre.co.uk/blog-post/arent-mars-yet/

Dunbar, B. (2015, June 01). What Is Jupiter? Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://
www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-jupiter-58.html

Jordan, G. (2015, October 05). Can Plants Grow with Mars Soil? Retrieved March 22,
2018, from https://www.nasa.gov/feature/can-plants-grow-with-mars-soil

Northon, K. (2015, June 9). NASA Spacecraft Detects Impact Glass on Surface of
Mars. Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-
spacecraft-detects-impact-glass-on-surface-of-mars

Peruvian scientists simulate growing potato on Mars. (2017, March 30). Retrieved
March 22, 2018, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-30/peru-scientists-experiment-
with-spuds-on-mars/8401520

Williams, M. (2017, June 15). How Can We Live on Mars? Retrieved March 22, 2018,
from https://www.universetoday.com/111462/how-can-we-live-on-mars/
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References

Zhang, B. (2013). The use of glass as a radiation shielding. Retrieved March 22,
2018, from https://www.researchgate.net/postThe_use_of_glass_as_a_radiation_shielding

Steep Slopes on Mars Reveal Structure of Buried Ice. (2018, January 11). Retrieved
March 22, 2018, from http://crism.jhuapl.edu/newscenter/articles/20180111.php

Greicius, T. (2017, August 7). Frosty Cold Nights Year-Round on Mars May Stir Dust.
Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.nasa.gov/feature/frosty-cold-nights-year-
round-on-mars-may-stir-dust

Greicius, T. (2017, August 7). Mars Gullies Likely Not Formed by Liquid Water.
Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/mars-gullies-likely-not-
formed-by-liquid-water