Ars TechnicaApr 14
Should the US prioritize settling Mars?
Should we all just read A City on Mars and call the whole thing off?
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/04/should-the-us-prioritize-settling-mars/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
Should we settle Mars, or is it a dumb idea for humans to live off world?

Should we all just read A City on Mars and call the whole thing off?

Ars Technica
Show threadPJ CoffeyApr 15

@arstechnica

I don't think A City On Mars says it's impossible to settle Mars. What it says is that it will be very, very difficult and identifies the current significant technical, social, political, and legal barriers that exist.

Whining about someone properly scoping the problems out doesn't exactly scream "steely eyed missile man" to me. It's the people saying it should be easy that need to get it together.

Show threadWesDymApr 16
@Homebrewandhacking Pretty much, yeah. Mars is much more like the Moon than it will ever be like Earth. It's half the diameter, 1/3 the gravity, almost no magnetosphere to protect from radiation, very little atmosphere to speak of and it's toxic to us, very cold, no surface water of any note, sterile soils that are probably toxic to our plants, and on and on. Living there will much more like living on the Moon than on Earth. Very difficult and impractical, if it's doable at all.
Show threadPJ Coffey

@wesdym

Well, the dust is not to be ignored eh?

Apr 16 at 2:23amWeb
Show threadWesDymApr 16
@Homebrewandhacking If you're basing that concern on that crappy book and film, then no.
Show threadPJ CoffeyApr 16

@wesdym

Oh dear. The problems with lunar dust are well known and have been since the 60s. Martian dust being similar seems likely and reasonable.

It's a great book. Well researched, and points out key areas where hopium is replacing actual plans and technology.