RE: The science of MARS habitats (surviving the un-survivable) - Colonization of MARS Series
I didn't know about 3D printing with ice, I assume it would be more challenging on Mars than it is here on Earth but it offers a lot of possibilities!
Anyway, I know it is a long way, but I hope one day human beings will live on the red planet; but in order to do so, it is necessary, as you say, to design a system of environment, buildings and habitats able to make us feel as comfortable as possible, as human as possible: humans are used to Earth, we wake up every morning and look up at the sky, we are used to certain colors and views, it is very risky for our minds to suddenly go and live underground, feeling somehow trapped. So planning to have some kind of habitats on the surface is a must.
We need light, freedom, a social life..this is going to be a very challeging adventure!
I just hope to witness the first step on Mars, like my parents witnessed the first on the Moon.
Thank you for your article, I look forward to reading the next!
It's an interesting discussion about making us feel as human as possible, since living on Mars for long periods of time will eventually make us "less" human and more martian :)
Bone structure, overall muscle mass and who knows what was not even researched.
But yes, I totally agree that the transition should be as non-traumatic as possible.
I hadn't caught the thing about printing with ice until reading your comment. Living where I live, I should give it a try :)
Mars might be easier to ice-print with. If it is water ice, I think very little will be needed to move the heat away. I don't think it is often above 20C anywhere on the planet.
Ahah, at the moment I am enjoying experimenting with my new 3D printer at home, so I couldn't skip that part about ice printing :P
Happy to see that my comment was useful to you, by the way, let us know if you actually try :D
I think you are right, ice printing might be easier on Mars, since it's freezing cold out there!