There have been various plans for human colonization of other planets, including Mars, announced by companies like SpaceX, Tesla, and the owner of the microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk. He aims to send not just 1,000 or 2,000, but 1 million people to Mars in the coming years. However, the question remains whether humans will be able to survive in Mars' harsh environment.
A book titled A City on Mars by biologist Kelly Weinersmith from Rice University and her husband, cartoonist Jack Weinersmith, discusses the challenges of living on Mars. The book won the Royal Society's Trivedi Science Book Prize this year. It argues that there are many flaws in Elon Musk's dream of conquering Mars. It is still unknown whether humans can survive in the hostile environment of Mars or if we are prepared for it.
The book raises questions about how we will overcome Mars' toxic soil, weak gravity, and high radiation. Kelly Weinersmith told CNN that there are many obstacles to human survival on Mars. The planet's thin atmosphere, high levels of radiation, and toxic, perchlorate-laden soil would pose serious health risks to humans. Prolonged exposure to these conditions could lead to hormonal imbalances, causing various health problems. Moreover, the weak gravity on Mars would increase the risk of bone loss and muscle atrophy. Issues would also arise in human biological processes, such as childbirth.
Mars' thin atmosphere offers minimal protection against cosmic and solar radiation. Prolonged exposure could increase the risk of cancer. Dust storms, extreme temperatures, and dangerous airborne particles on Mars would make life even more challenging, damaging both human health and any equipment sent there. Kelly Weinersmith suggests that a lunar research center should be established first, and that humans might land on Mars in the future but return to Earth after exploration. She emphasizes that we should not rush to colonize Mars. For now, living on Mars can be considered a dream.
Source: NDTV