What will it take to build a Mars habitat?
The Martian Chronicles: designing a home on Mars. Our overview of the key initiatives, developments, technologies, and issues.
Elon Musk has stated that the first human landing on Mars will occur in 2035, with the goal of establishing a colony of 1 million people by 2050. As part of the Space Ambition Mars Сolony Research initiative, we are extensively exploring and analyzing various issues that need to be addressed in order to establish a thriving colony. Check out our previous post about 5 key problems that prevent us from colonizing Mars in the near future. This week we are doing a deep dive on Mars habitats.
Significant efforts are currently underway to lay the foundation for a comfortable existence on the Red Planet. NASA, as well as many companies and foundations, are actively engaged in various initiatives, including competitions and funding programs aimed at developing critical technologies necessary for Mars exploration.
Radiation issue solutions
The most pressing concern raised by skeptics of Mars exploration is the issue of radiation protection. On Earth, we are shielded from radiation by the planet's magnetic field. The magnetic field on Mars is much weaker, making it more susceptible to high levels of radiation that would be hazardous to human health. In our previous article, we discussed the potential of Martian soil as a solution to this specific issue. According to some researchers, if we were to dig into the Martian soil to a depth of around three meters, the radiation levels would be comparable to those on Earth.
Perhaps the solution lies somewhere in the field of biotechnology: a specific type of fungus known as Cladosporium sphaerospermum thrives in environments with high levels of radiation and produces melanin for regeneration. Tardigrade - type of microscopic invertebrate which could survive in radiation conditions.
Other technical solutions are being worked out. For example, NASA proposes a magnetic shield to protect Mars' atmosphere.
How to build on Mars?
The first step to establishing a colony on Mars is to construct a habitable module. Currently, two approaches are being considered: building the module underground to protect against radiation, or printing it using a 3D printer with materials derived from Martian soil. Several companies are already engaged in the development of 3D printing technologies for this purpose.
The Crowd Space team project has introduced a novel concept for establishing colonies on Mars. The team has devised a plan to utilize inflatable modules as a means of providing habitable spaces on the Red Planet. This approach has several benefits, including the ease of deployment and the ability to supplement other types of habitable modules. The inflatable modules can be inflated with breathable atmosphere, creating a supplementary layer that serves as an "outdoor" area.
In 2019, NASA hosted the 3D Printed Habitat Challenge, where the winners were awarded a prize of $2 million. One of the winners, AI Spacefactory CEO David Mallot, spoke about the potential application of the newly developed technologies on Earth in his interview:
“So, if you think about the whole concept of 3D on Mars with Mars material, apply that to Earth, it's a much more sustainable way of building. To be able to send the robot out to a site, gather the materials that are there. So, that's where this space technology really has applications to Earth.“
After winning the prize and receiving funding for further development, AI Spacefactory continued to collaborate with NASA, leveraging the technological advancements to support the application of 3D printing technology in NASA's Artemis lunar program. This is a great example of how participation in a challenge can be the beginning of a great collaboration.
The Mars Habitat Challenge
The Mars Habitat Challenge, which is annually run by Venture Lab, aims to develop innovative technology solutions and business models to establish a self-sufficient habitat on Mars or other planets.
Some of the 2021 and 2022 winners are mentioned below (not all of them are space companies):
SWOXID developed a gravitational solar-thermal water purifier, which filters and sterilizes contaminated water using sunlight.
SoHHytec (funded $2.3 million) provides onsite renewable fuel (hydrogen), electricity, and heat production and storage systems that are cost-effective, cleaner, and greener.
ANYbotics (funded $21.7 million) provides end-to-end robotic solutions for industrial inspections.
Please note, that all the proposed solutions can be used on Earth. A full review of the technologies that won last year’s challenge can be found here.
The 2023 Mars Habitat Challenge is nearing its conclusion. If you believe your technologies have the potential to thrive on Mars, consider participating next year. Stay informed of future updates by regularly visiting the Venture Lab website.
Oxygen extraction
Once the module has been constructed, it's crucial to establish a life-sustaining atmosphere. Obtaining a source of oxygen is paramount, as the Martian atmosphere consists primarily of 95% carbon dioxide. For example, oxygen is generated through the electrolysis of water on the International Space Station (ISS). The system can produce up to 160 liters of gaseous oxygen per hour of operation. However, this technology might not be useful on Mars, as it necessitates a constant supply of water, which is a scarce resource on the planet. Ice extraction on Mars is thought to be limited, and it would not be sustainable to use water for oxygen production.
NASA has developed a groundbreaking technology for obtaining oxygen on Mars - extracting it from the planet's atmosphere. The Moxie device on the Perseverance Mars rover made history as the first practical demonstration of obtaining resources necessary for human life from the Martian environment. The device captures the Martian air, heats it, and passes it through an electrolysis cell, where carbon dioxide is decomposed into oxygen and carbon monoxide. The instrument successfully generated 50 grams of oxygen from the Mars atmosphere in just 9 hours of operation. While the amount may seem small, it's important to note that this was merely a technology demonstration and the technology has proven to be successful. The next step is to scale it.
Creating a suitable atmosphere within the module involves more than just producing oxygen. It is essential to maintain a suitable pressure, establish an air purification system, and generate other critical gasses because pure oxygen can be hazardous. We will explore the issues in future articles.
Efforts to create Martian spacesuits are already underway. NASA is testing material samples for potential use in future Martian spacesuits on the Perseverance Rover. Meanwhile, Planetary ProTech is working on a Martian spacesuit that could also have applications on Earth (e.g., in disaster zones).
Let's not forget about energy
Once we have established the bare minimum atmospheric requirements for life support, the next step is to provide the module with a source of energy. We have previously published a comprehensive article on space energy.
When it comes to powering the Martian module, there are two viable options to consider: nuclear power and solar power. Transporting batteries or fossil fuels from Earth to other planets or for long-distance space travel is currently cost-prohibitive.
Solar energy is relatively affordable and is suitable for missions near the Earth or Mars orbit where the sunlight intensity is relatively strong.
NASA and the US Department of Energy have collaborated on the Kilopower project, which demonstrates a simple reactor's ability to generate 10 kW of energy in the lunar environment. To further advance the technology, NASA has awarded 12-month contracts to Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and a joint venture between Intuitive Machines and X-Energy with the aim of scaling the design to 40kW.
Wind power has not yet been fully explored as a means of generating energy on Mars, however, it holds potential as a complementary source to solar panels. This is because the winds on Mars are strongest during nighttime hours.
Why colonize Mars? Space Ambition perspective
At Space Ambition, we aim to ignite a new generation of Space Tech entrepreneurs and investors, propelling the industry toward uncharted territories. We firmly believe that setting foot on Mars is a milestone on par with Neil Armstrong's moon landing 60 years ago, which captivated the attention of billions of people around the world. This event will serve to unite humanity, not divide it. We are delighted to observe that there are already influential individuals, in addition to Musk, who are advocating for the colonization of Mars. For example, the UAE has launched an ambitious program Mars 2117 with the aim of settling colony on the Red Planet.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Prime Minister of the UAE) believes that Emirates Mars Mission sends three messages to the entire world:
«Arab civilization once played a great role in contributing to human knowledge and will play this role again,
nothing is impossible and the other countries can compete with leading countries in the Space sector,
for those who strive to reach the highest of peaks: “set no limits to your ambitions and you can reach even to space».
It is our ardent hope that other nations will follow suit and emulate this trailblazing leadership, sparking a worldwide movement that motivates individuals to take part in the epic race to conquer the final frontier - space!
We would like to finish our article today with a quote from our reader Behruzjon:
“Despite the fact that I am studying social and life sciences at college now, it is possible to reach space and explore exoplanets without holding any special degree. Thank you for making me realize it!”
We wish Behruzjon all the best and hope that more people will be inspired to act.
Please reach out to us if you are working on technologies that might have applications on Mars.
This article draws on in-depth research from our analytical center. If you are interested in gaining access to the complete study and our knowledge base, please reach out to alexandra@spaceambition.org