Is it really possible to colonize Mars safely?

Question

I keep hearing scientists saying that it'll happen one day and that it'll be the first step to exploring the rest of our solar system and even possibly leaving it. Sure, that makes sense, but I really want to know, is it actually possible to put a living human colony safely on Mars?

Let's assume we don't develop a system of travel that would cut the time to Mars in half, but we're still looking at at least a few weeks of flight. Let's assume we have the ability and resources to terraform Mars or a Biodome on Mars. Lets assume we can build a ship big enough or make enough trips to move colonists to Mars. Lets assume we can get around all of these things, aren't we forgetting one key detail?

Mars' gravity is a third that of Earth's. Which means if we have people on Mars for any decent amount of time, we should expect a significant amount of muscular deterioration.

Muscles need resistance to maintain. Resistance is lessened to a third of normal when on Mars. Therefor, muscles will deteriorate to a third of what they were on Earth.

This isn't inherently a problem, a third of what we have on Earth is all we would need on Mars, but that would also mean we would never be able to return to Earth or we wouldn't be able to handle it.

If I remember correctly, even our skeleton would deteriorate.to an acceptable norm on Mars but would essentially be pretty fragile on Earth.

So tell me, what would be a practical way around this problem?

jrcg · Accepted Answer

You've raised a valid point - one that we currently lack any data to answer either way.

Since we lack a convenient environment with 1/3 g, there have been no accurate studies to examine the effects of longterm exposure to a reduced gravity.

>Therefor, muscles will deteriorate to a third of what they were on Earth.

Broadly speaking - if one doesn't exercise or take appropriate medication.

But ask yourself, if you were born and raised on Mars, why (apart from curiosity's sake) would you want to visit a world with 2.5 times the gravity?

Clarke (as if oft the case) anticipated this in Imperial Earth.

Do read it.

Especially the bit about the lunar ambassador spending most of his time in the bath when doing business on Earth.

Is the colonization of Mars possible?
Of course it is.

Do we lack the political will as a species and far-sightedness to make it happen?
Yup.

Anonymous · Answer

Due to Mars' weaker gravitational field, Humans living on the planet for extended periods would adapt to the new conditions (reduction in bone density, etc...).  Rigorous exercise would help to lessen the effect of this process, though not prevent it.

On another note, Humans born on Mars could most likely never return to Earth for this reason.

? · Answer

The earth warmed .6 degrees in a century and that was using highly manipulated data by people with a bias to see global warming. Even that minuscule amount of warming is probably greatly exaggerated by Urban Heat Island and the abominable state of the weather monitoring stations. They like to put them next to air conditioning vents or on black asphalt for example. Even using those almost certainly exaggerated numbers, you sure don't get anything that is worth worrying about by any sane person. People who look at a change of that magnitude over that time frame, which is perfectly in line with natural variations, and see doom are just engaging in speculation that isn't based on anything in the real world.

Anonymous · Answer

Well Maybe One Day!

Scientist and NASA has been predicting they can put man on mars as early as 2030.

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Is it really possible to colonize Mars safely?

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