And because of “The Martian”, people think going to and living on Mars would be a snap.

We can’t even rescue people from orbit.

I read the book, it’s hardly a snap. They guy eats potatoes fertilized by his own shit for like two years.

That would potentially poison him. Human, dog, cat, and generally any carnivore/ omnivore shit is considered “hot,” and must be treated before use as manure.

The perchlorates in the Martian regolith he uses for most of the soil would kill him faster.