
Why
colonise
mars?
The goal of any species is to prosper for as long as possible. Humans are no exception to this rule and will aim to survive far into the distant future.
This brings about some concerns since it’s almost inevitable that we will face a large extinction-level event on Earth at some point. This may take the form of an asteroid, a deadly virus, volcanic eruptions or climate change.
Therefore, it seems like a sensible option to begin transitioning into a multi-planet species.

about mars
At an average distance of 140 million miles, Mars is one of Earth's closest habitable neighbours. Being further away, Mars recieves less sunlight from the Sun, but still enough to power solar panels and for humans to see during the day. It is a little cold (-62.8°C), with it's atmopshere being too thin to trap any warmth the Sun provides. It's atmosphere is actually only 1% of Earth's, so if humans are going to live on Mars, they will need to wear space or pressure suits to survive. Its atmosphere is primarily CO2 with some nitrogen and argon and a few other trace elements, which means that we can grow plants on Mars just by compressing the atmosphere. Gravity on Mars is about 38% of that of Earth, so you would be able to lift heavy objects and jump great heights, or break the world record for the longest drive in golf. Furthermore, the day is remarkably close to that of Earth.
Diameter 4,220 miles/ 6,791 km
Day Length (sol) 24 hrs 37 mins
Length of year 687 Earth Days
Force of Gravity 38% of Earth
Temperature -62.8°C/ -81°F
Avg Distance from the Earth 140 Mmiles/ 225Mkm
Number of Moons 2 (Phobos and Deimos)
Age 4.5 billion years
While the Moon is a lot closer to Earth (238,855 miles/ 384,400 km), the difference in gravity is why the Moon is a poor option for long-term colonization, having just 16.7% of Earth’s gravity. It would lead to the human body losing muscle mass, bone strength and messing up the internal organs that rely on gravity to function.
