Imagine a horrific world where the average temperature is -81oF, the atmosphere is 96% carbon dioxide, and one year lasts approximately 687 days (“Mars Facts”). This seemingly inhospitable world is Mars, and recent debates have surfaced over whether humans should explore and settle it. Many believe that we as a species must venture onto planets beyond our own. The arguments in favor of colonization, however, often lack real support and make rushed and misguided assumptions. Analyzing available evidence indicates that the settlement of Mars should not occur yet, due to society’s unpreparedness for such an endeavor. According to anthropologist Rayna Slobodian, society has cited several reasons for the desire to establish a human colony on Mars:
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers Sydney Do and his colleagues exhibit this in their report on the feasibility of a Mars mission as described by Mars One, an organization advocating for the settlement of Mars by humans (Do et al. 192). Do et al.’s analysis of the Mars One plan points out critical flaws. For instance, the area Mars One proposes for crop growing once astronauts are on the red planet is not nearly enough. Mars One first insisted that an area 50 meters squared (m2) would be sufficient to feed the crew, and later changed that estimate to 80 m2 (Do et al. 222). However, Do et al. found that approximately 200 m2 are required for such an endeavor. Though it should be acknowledged that an area this size would increase atmospheric oxygen levels, thereby leading to an increased risk of fires. Furthermore, the equipment required to fix this problem is too massive to bring to Mars (Do et al. 222). Do et al. also concluded that an actual mission to Mars would require more resupply missions to the planet than Mars One anticipated. The increase in resupply missions would lead to an increase in costs, and the amount of money needed to fund the mission would soon become unreasonable (Do et al. …show more content…
The program may have changed the wording due to the report published by Do et al. which concluded that the technology needed for the Mars missions does not exist yet or has not been tested and approved. The shortcomings of the Mars One plan highlighted by Do et al. indicate that current technology and financial budgets are not suitable for a Mars mission. Humans cannot expect to colonize another world without innovative technology and a foolproof plan. Colonization might one day be possible and the right choice for humanity, but experts need to carry out more research and experimentation before that day is here. The rush to reach the red planet is therefore misguided and based on insufficient evidence. One-way missions to Mars may seem like science fiction, but could soon be reality. The risks associated with such missions, however, indicate that the costs may outweigh the positives. Currently, a lack of funding and sufficient technology and equipment exist (Do et al. 192). Society is not considering the reasons provided for Mars settlement; it is simply rushing into the mission without the necessary details (Slobodian 91). Before humanity sends any human to the red planet, more research and innovation is
Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers Sydney Do and his colleagues exhibit this in their report on the feasibility of a Mars mission as described by Mars One, an organization advocating for the settlement of Mars by humans (Do et al. 192). Do et al.’s analysis of the Mars One plan points out critical flaws. For instance, the area Mars One proposes for crop growing once astronauts are on the red planet is not nearly enough. Mars One first insisted that an area 50 meters squared (m2) would be sufficient to feed the crew, and later changed that estimate to 80 m2 (Do et al. 222). However, Do et al. found that approximately 200 m2 are required for such an endeavor. Though it should be acknowledged that an area this size would increase atmospheric oxygen levels, thereby leading to an increased risk of fires. Furthermore, the equipment required to fix this problem is too massive to bring to Mars (Do et al. 222). Do et al. also concluded that an actual mission to Mars would require more resupply missions to the planet than Mars One anticipated. The increase in resupply missions would lead to an increase in costs, and the amount of money needed to fund the mission would soon become unreasonable (Do et al. …show more content…
The program may have changed the wording due to the report published by Do et al. which concluded that the technology needed for the Mars missions does not exist yet or has not been tested and approved. The shortcomings of the Mars One plan highlighted by Do et al. indicate that current technology and financial budgets are not suitable for a Mars mission. Humans cannot expect to colonize another world without innovative technology and a foolproof plan. Colonization might one day be possible and the right choice for humanity, but experts need to carry out more research and experimentation before that day is here. The rush to reach the red planet is therefore misguided and based on insufficient evidence. One-way missions to Mars may seem like science fiction, but could soon be reality. The risks associated with such missions, however, indicate that the costs may outweigh the positives. Currently, a lack of funding and sufficient technology and equipment exist (Do et al. 192). Society is not considering the reasons provided for Mars settlement; it is simply rushing into the mission without the necessary details (Slobodian 91). Before humanity sends any human to the red planet, more research and innovation is