Mars: Our Future Home?

OUR FUTURE HOME?

Skyler Bennett

I have always been fascinated by space and what is beyond our reach. I find the concept of interstellar travel and living amongst the stars both baffling and spectacular. At the same time, I’ve witnessed others express a simple, human response to outer space: a fear to what is unknown to us.

It is time to consider what sort of human structures would need to be built to survive and thrive on the desolate planet itself

In the past twenty years Mars has proven to be more and more perfect for humans to travel to; I believe we now need to address our fears and consider how we might actually live there. Research and feedback from NASA’s Endeavour Programme has already started to show us what the red planet looks like - it is time to consider what sort of human structures would need to be built to survive and thrive on the desolate planet itself. The form of architecture being considered for space - both futuristic in its technology, but rustic in its appearance - can provide a true example of pushing technology and human limits to their maximum capabilities. At first glance, the best home for a Mars astronaut would be built underground as it would give protection from the harsh environment on the surface. However, the robotic engineering required for creating such a structure would be difficult to transfer to Mars from Earth. Thus, this construction option is not the way forward, so architects and scientists alike have had to consider another type of architecture — one not even used on Earth. Currently, there are two types of inventive forms of architecture being considered by NASA for living on Mars in the 2030s. Firstly, an inflatable torus, featuring ice walls and a 3D printed building.

The inflatable torus could be created by by pumping underground frozen water, already found on the planet, to form an igloo-type structure around the torus. A benefit of this type of building is that it could be put onto Mars long before the astronauts even arrived. In addition, the ice design would protect them from the radiation of cosmic rays while allowing natural light into their living quarters. This light could help sustain their mental health and remind the astronauts of their homes on Earth. However, the form of architecture I believe The astronauts have should be used in this project is the design which utilises 3D printing. In this design, drifted onto this planet the architects use 3D printing to create like an ocean pebble smooth curves and continuous rows of rounded ridges which encircle the home drifts onto a beach — reminiscent of the marks created on the side of great canyons formed by water. Even though it is ironic that such a prominent component of the design implies images of water on a planet which lacks just that, the structure has a more relaxed and homely feel than the ice option. Such a design could remind the astronauts of memorable moments they had near water back on Earth: and thus provide them with much-needed relaxation on their expedition. Furthermore, this design’s sleek curves mimic those of a pebble being washed ashore by a wave of ocean water. This concept

represents how the astronauts, and this home, have drifted onto this planet like an ocean pebble drifts onto a beach. At the same time, it symbolises humanity’s ability to go above and beyond, to undertake this seemingly impossible task, and mark the coronation of this planet as the product of our intelligence and technological excellence. This structure, bursting out of the rugged Martian landscape, invokes strength, stability, and safety. This design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but can be made using a rover and materials already found on Mars. The home would be constructed over four levels with the top level having a water-filled skylight to let natural, mentalhealth-fulfilling light flood into the home. Another key area of design, which is both practical but also has deeper meaning, is the home’s bare, skeletal-like construction. The simplistic design means the machinery required for the project can be as minimal as possible. The cylindrical style of the design has a single staircase wrapped around the interior of the structure which adds to the building’s efficiency for getting the astronauts everywhere they need to go in a compact way. The skeletal design, built with resources from Mars, signifies the bone-dry, dead environment which surrounds the home and pays homage to the construction’s origins. It also represents a backbone which forms from the central spine and spreads to the main structure to create the different rooms and floors. This shows how this is a living home, as it is the crew’s lifeline and sanctuary. After viewing this home, and analysing all of its features, I appreciate its oxymoronic design. It challenges the harsh, cruel and uninhabitable environment around it. It invokes images of flowing water on a dry world of nothingness, and yet it holds life, in a place lacking it. It could be the first manmade building on Mars, challenging Nature’s wishes for that planet. With that in mind, my last point of analysis would be its design of a raindrop. Water brings life: a single drop can cause

This design’s sleek a seed to develop, or an animal to quench curves mimic those of its thirst. It is life-giving and sustaining. We all depend on it as the greatest a pebble being washed necessity that life needs to survive, ashore by a wave therefore, it is striking that the designers of this home would base their entire build around the very element which this planet desperately lacks. I believe that the designers incorporated water into the design to emphasis our goal for the whole mission. Through scientific and technological breakthroughs, we can build these interstellar homes, which go against all logical thinking. We can drop that water droplet elsewhere; we can spread our life elsewhere. That is the power of the water-theme and this design, it says: “Life can continue”.