Report 4 – Living on Another Planet
Transportation systems: Engineers have many design considerations and restraints when developing transportation systems and vehicles for Mars. The amount of dust on the planet will affect mechanical systems. Vehicles on Mars that have to go long distances will need to be pressurized. Rovers for planetary exploration are in development. Rovers for surface science and geology will also be needed, this design is for a drilling and exploration vehicle. In order to support multiple mission requirements, the system is modular and multi-configurable. The main structural aspects of the design are: 1) an inflatable habitat module. 2) Independently powered and remotely controllable wheel trucks to allow multiple configurations and ease of system assembly. 3) Parabolic space trusses for high structural stability with low overall system mass. In addition to these design aspects, new and existing concepts for control systems, power, radiation protection, and crew safety have been incorporated into the transportation system design. This system is designed around the principle of maximum flexibility while maintaining minimal weight and minimal power requirements.
Life support systems are critical to a Martian colony. Colonies will need to be self-sufficient and to use what scientists call a bio-regenerative life support system. A bio regenerative life support system will perform all of the basic functions of a life support system based on natural regenerative processes. Such systems incorporate biological components in the synthesis, purification, and regeneration of basic life support consumables. Life-support requirements such as food, drinking water, and breathable atmosphere by using plants and microbes as the central recycling components. Plants will be utilized in food production, carbon dioxide removal, and oxygen production and, with microbial systems, will support water purification.
Water: Drainage valleys through flat land are another sign of water on Mars. A little bit of evidence has shown up on Earth from a meteorite that there was water. This meteorite has been identified as a Martian rock. The meteorite shows that a 1.4 percent of water is in the volcanic rock. Some scientist believe that there is water underground. The water would be in hypersaline underground oceans, and could be so loaded with salt that it would flow like syrup. The poles of Mars do have water ice in them. Some scientists believe that there may be additional water or ice under the surface of Mars. These hidden reservoirs could be a source for future colonists to use to produce water and oxygen. Plants produce oxygen from photosynthesis, which could be used to provide some of the oxygen humans need. The integration of the greenhouse with the living quarters would help to facilitate this process. The rocks and soil on Mars contain some oxygen. A process for extracting oxygen from rocks and soil on a lunar base is being considered. This process could possibly also be used on Mars.
Sewage: Water would also have to be recycled in order to use it most efficiently. Since a large quantity of water will be needed for a Martian colony, very efficient recycling techniques will also be needed. Recycling water for human use will be necessary in addition to water used for plants and machines. Laundry and showers (gray water) can be incorporated into hydroponic plant production systems. The subsequent recovery of water transpired (released) by plants is one means of water purification and recycling that is a natural bio-regenerative process.
Farming: If we ever decide to colonize Mars, it might be fairly simple to grow crops in that red soil, according to a new study. Mars' reduced gravity could let us use less water and fertilizer than we do on Earth. Allowing crops to grow there that produce oxygen and scrub carbon dioxide there would make Mars a more livable environment. For a long-term settlement, there is probably no other option than growing food on Mars. Soil-based agriculture can use settlers' waste for fertilizer; it can sequester carbon and produce oxygen; and it's a reliable way to biologically filter water, for instance. The problem is that Mars’ Gravity affects the rate at which water and nutrients flow through soil, and plants have evolved to these constraints. Martian gravity is about one-third as strong as Earth’s meaning water would flow at a slower rate. This could lead to suffocation of microorganisms and roots, along with emissions of toxic gases. However slower water transport is a good thing, soil under Martian gravity is able to hold more water, so less of it seeps through and is lost. This increased efficiency means you could use a whopping 90 percent less water for Martian irrigation than what you'd need on Earth. The sunlight on Mars is about 43% of the sunlight on Earth and plants would have to adjust to less sunlight, or be exposed to additional sources of light. Engineers working in a controlled environment will have to consider ways to control the temperature, humidity, lighting, water, and nutrients for optimal plant growth. So once we start terraforming Mars, our agriculture might be more efficient, but we'll still have to worry about those blasted greenhouse gases.
Pros: It's pretty Earth-like planet, in terms of things like gravity and day cycle, so it would be easier to adjust on Mars. Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global warming, nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of. Mars offers humanity the ultimate lifeboat in the case that life on Earth no longer becomes possible or desirable. There would be a chance to start over away from the political and ecological mess on Earth.
Cons: First con is the cost to get there. You have to make everything and be totally self-sufficient, down to the air you breathe. The slightest malfunction or accident could kill you. You will have to learn to live off the land, produce your own air, food and water. You´ll need to figure out how to generate electricity, how to stay warm, and get mobile while keeping from being exposed to the fatal atmosphere. Humans would obviously need to initially wear suits on Mars, so Con's point about solar radiation is irrelevant. And finally, Con has not presented evidence that the gravity level on Mars is so low that it would be harmful to humans.

References: http://vasts.spacegrant.org/modules/10/1 http://mars.nasa.gov/participate/marsforeducators/soi/MarsSOI2012_Lesson13_StudentGuide.pdf http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-08/martian-farms-would-need-less-water-and-fewer-fertilizers-according-new-study http://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/reports/CB-979/texas.pdf