During my research, some very interesting facts were accumulated. By accumulating modern data on Mars, I attempted to outline the possibilities of colonization in my own perspective. One consideration is that not only is technology lifting mankind up into new heights, but we are on the verge of a new cooperation on a global scale. This cooperation that I am conveying is that world governments are now working together to eventually go to Mars. This exploration will be a culmination of data produced from the rovers that are currently sending data to us from Mars. (http://www.googleearth.com, go to Mars entry) We now know there are natural resources available to use to sustain life, and harvesting them will lead to our first colony being started and expanding there. The question arises, as to how to get there, and with careful thought, the technology that we now possess will certainly deliver us there to Mars. The first fact to consider is that we have a natural satellite that is only approximately 252,000 miles away from us, which is the Moon. (www.answers.ask.com) (http://www.chacha.com) We also have the International Space Station, revolving around the earth. (http://wiki.answers.com) We are also going to be building an outer space vehicle that is larger than the Gemini space capsule, but will be built to go deeper into space and stay there longer. On January 14, 2004, then President George W. Bush announced the “Orion” spacecraft. This spacecraft is a replacement of the space shuttle program and any space plane designs, and the project to extend human presence into the solar system is named “Constellation”. Project Constellation will be carried out in three stages.
1) Once the International Space Station completes its new docking assembly, the U.S. Core must be completed within approximately six or seven flights. The new “Crew Exploration Vehicle” (CEV) will then be scheduled for multiple excursions to and from “Low Earth Orbit” (LEO).
2) The CEV will then be updated and scheduling of trips to and from the Moon, asteroid/s, and Mars.
3) Around 2020, the development of interplanetary landing crafts will lead to human missions to the Moon and to Mars.
(Current, www.networkworld.com) (Nov. 7, 2013, www.sacbee.com) (Current, www.ask.com/wiki/Orion_(spacecraft) ) With the advent of newer, more powerful processors, the newest technology involves using combined CPU and GPU technology. We have entered a new age in computing, an age of mastering technology. The old way of loading a rocket and sending it out in a limited time frame only to return later is a time soon to come to a close. We will now be able to focus on space exploration and colonization, due to the fact that most of the working population has been educated in the newest technologies, and outer space is the new frontier. The new realm of thinking about space will involve some of the most brilliant minds of today, all working together to form a process of accomplishment in time to eventually colonize Mars. Mars is about 36 million to over 250 million miles away from the Earth, and can now be approached in a more logical manner. Robots could be transformed into workers to pave the way for mankind's colonization. For instance, we can reference the Mars Rovers. They are solar powered devices that perform tasks autonomously and by remote control. There isn't anyone that thought that this could be achieved, but it was. With the increase of computer power and speed, development of robots has not been anything less than phenomenal. With these types of prototypes being developed, scientists will be able to send them out first, building space stations for us automatically and remotely. With this knowledge being utilized, scientists and developers will be able to build a series of individual, permanent space stations with ion particle engines spanning from the moon's space colony to the closest point to Mars. Complete with radar technology to detect space debris and comet activity, each space station will be able to serve as an interval docking station between points on space flights to the red planet. They can be stocked with supplies and materials needed for astronauts, scientists, archeologists, space travelers and colonizers of the planet. Robots can also be utilized to mine and develop Mars resources ahead of any humans even setting foot on the planet. (Current, http://youtu.be/YzMrNFd4oOk) There are many different prototypes being developed to enhance technology further. As we gain more knowledge of Mars, we begin to develop our understanding of the needs in such a settlement. The ability to communicate between each other on Mars might be solved by a universal communicator being developed. In short, the future concept of a society being started by a small colony is attainable. Technology is rapidly being developed, and many new innovations will be implemented. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K54LN9q1jSs, Michio Kaku - Physics of the Future, Uploaded on Apr 16, 2011) Mars is a dry, barren, inhospitable place to live. Terraforming it can be initiated, but would take some time to take effect. In an underground habitat, plants would have to be grown to provide enough oxygen to support human life, as well as fresh produce for consumption. Data has been recorded to show temperature variations of between -140degrees Celsius to 20degrees Celsius. That’s equal to -220degrees Fahrenheit to 68degrees Fahrenheit. A battery backup system powered by solar and wind generation could be utilized to heat the underground habitat. (http://www.answers.ask.com)
Celsius conversions made at:
(http://www.metric-conversions.org/temperature/celsius-to-fahrenheit.htm)

The temperature shifts due to the thin atmosphere of the planet, as there is very little to keep the heat at the surface. To conserve on heat dissipation, robotics could be used to detect the ideal locations for burrowing underneath the Martian soil and building basic underground structures for human habitation. There are lava tubes on Mars that can also be used for this purpose. This would also provide shielding from possible meteors or some of the radiation that is 2&1/2 times higher than what is recorded in the International Space Station. The Martian atmosphere also consists of over 95 percent carbon dioxide and 5 percent of nitrogen, argon, oxygen, carbon monoxide, water vapor, nitric oxide, and some trace gasses like krypton and methane. (http://www.universetoday.com) The air at the surface is very dusty. (Granules are approximately 1-1.5 microns.) There are 4 layers of Martian atmosphere, the lower, middle, upper, and exosphere. The middle atmosphere is the layer that has a jet stream similar to Earths. The rovers have experienced some problems with this environment. Since the lower atmosphere is so thin, winds are produced that create dust storms, which have caused partial obstruction of the solar panels. This caused them to not function at full capacity. If solar panels are to be used for power, windshield wipers could be used to clear the dust off, and battery backup systems can be utilized to store power generated by wind turbines in conjunction with a solar grid. All air filtration systems would also need the ability to filter out the small dust particles so that an inner habitat and future experiments would not be compromised. There is also conclusive evidence of extreme volcanic activity on Mars, and much of the Martian surface has different forms of volcanic rocks strewn across it. Since these rocks have different mineral and igneous compositions, acidic conditions exist on Mars which should be carefully analyzed. Any problems arising from the possibility of these chemicals having a negative effect on equipment or personnel should be taken into consideration. Acid has not yet posed any major problem for the rovers that are collecting data, and by continuing the investigation of Mars will give new insights as to what could be expected there. (JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena) (http://www.nasa.gov/rovers) (http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov) (http://twitter.com/MarsRovers) (http://www.facebook.com/mars.rovers) (http://universitytoday.com, “What Is Mars Atmosphere Made Of” by Jerry Coffey, March 6, 2011)
(http://www.universetoday.com/84657/what-is-mars-atmosphere-made-of/#ixzz2jzep2OAQ)
Radiation may pose threats to colonization of Mars in various ways. There are different forms of radiation on Mars that the colonists and their habitat would have to be protected from. Ionizing radiation is radiation that is made of small particles that can cause an electron to leave an atom. There are many different kinds, such as subatomic particles that are very small particles of matter moving at high rates of speed. There are also electromagnetic waves that can also dislodge an atomic particle from an atom. Some other forms are alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons. Mesons are particles that cosmic rays are composed of. Photons are also particles that can cause disruptions, as well as gamma rays, x rays and ultraviolet rays. Microwaves, infrared waves, and radio waves are considered non-ionizing radiation. By insuring that scientists are safely inside an underground structure, they would have the maximum protection from radiation. Modern technology is also available for detection of dangerous levels of radiation, and appropriate steps with regards to radiation should be considered for the future research and development of this planet. (www.ask.com) The size of the colony would have to begin as very small, up to only 10 people. Everyone would have to work with each other to continue the work of the small facility, to expand its operations and functionality. Supplies could be continually sent to the surface as well as any needed equipment, tools, materials, or anything available from the not-so-distant, closest space station, one of which was mentioned earlier. In case of an emergency, personnel could be evacuated to this space station. August 6, 2012 was when the “Curiosity” rover landed in “Gale Crater”, at “Bradbury Landing”. Since this was the beginning of “Curiosity’s trek across the planet, it would also be an ideal spot to set up the first Mars base. The area has been explored, and there is known data about the environment at this spot. If autonomous robots are employed now, the time for the small colony could begin much earlier. The following is a list of some of Curiosity’s findings. August 6, 2012 was the year that Curiosity arrived at Mars.
It has 10 instruments to test samples.
Samples collected and analyzed were; sand, silt, dust, rocks. Sparse outcrops of vitrified fluvial conglomerate (Fluvial soils are from streams and rivers. Alluvial are from basin fill deposited.). Martian basalts (tested at 71%) (Volcanic, dark colored, rich in magnesium and iron). /contains felsic (Si- and Al-rich) grains like the larger felsic rock fragments(crystallized from silicate at low temperatures)/ the fine-grained soil is mafic (dark colored, high magnesium and iron content)/ Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite revealed H2O, SO2, CO2, and O2.Fe/Mg carbonates/marguerite (alkaline magma?) . There was a surprising result that no methane was detected.(http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1244258d.)