Do you think humans will ever colonize Mars? What would life there actually look like?
The content explores the challenges and possibilities of human colonisation of Mars, depicting its harsh, barren landscape and lack of essential resources like water. Despite scientific interest, including missions by ISRO and NASA rovers discovering signs of subsurface water, the author emphasises that colonisation is unlikely due to extreme environmental conditions and high costs. The text reflects on Earth’s unique evolutionary journey and the absence of life on other planets. Ultimately, it argues that the dream of Mars colonisation is impractical and suggests that scientific advancements should focus on enhancing human welfare rather than on lofty and unviable projects.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Colonization of Mars faces immense challenges due to harsh conditions, high costs, and lack of essential resources like water.
- Rovers like Perseverance and Curiosity have found signs of subsurface water but life remains elusive on the red planet.
- Earth’s unique evolutionary journey contrasts sharply with Mars, highlighting why other planets lack diverse life forms.
- The idea of human colonization is impractical and poses significant risks, making it a mere utopia rather than a feasible project.
- Scientific advancements should prioritize human welfare instead of chasing unrealistic dreams of Martian settlement.
Flight of fancy
The barren area is full of ferruginous rocks, boulders, and truncated hillocks. There is none, not even a small organism. As far as the eye can see, the area is like this. Dry, cold and desolate without water. Suddenly, the scene changed. A few hominids of peculiar appearance appeared. They were humans who lived in a specially designed, inverted dome-like structure that could withstand the harsh weather and topography of the area. The most precious thing is water which is not found in this area. The residents rely on the water transported from the earth, but most of it evaporates due to low atmospheric pressure and high temperatures. Life is impossible here and going back to the earth is still more ticklish. They were forced to starve and be thirsty.
Red planet: Mars
The picture described above is of a planet that revolves around the Sun. It appears red in colour and looks akin to an irascible person, furious and red-faced. Named after the Roman god of war, the planet is fourth from the sun and known as Mars. The scientific fraternity has observed it closely. Several artificial satellites have orbited around and studied it. Launched by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in 2013, the Indian “Mangalyaan”, officially called the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), has been revolving around the planet since September 2014. The aim is to collect information about the planet, its atmosphere, topology and soil. It helps to understand the solar system and its origin.(NASA Science)
Rovers over Mars
Rovers sent to the Martian surface to explore signs of life and the presence of water. Perseverance and Curiosity are the two active NASA rovers that are still exploring Martian regolith. Rover Perseverance has given definite clues of subsurface water presence and biosignatures in rocks. Mars evokes curiosity about the presence of water and the possible presence of organic molecules.
Billions of years ago
Using radiometric dating of ancient meteorite material and moon rocks, scientists have established the age of the Earth. The Earth was born about 4.54 billion years ago. Mars also came into existence around the same time. Long after the hot Earth cooled and water appeared on it in vapour form. The vapours condensed as the surface cooled further, and ultimately, it precipitated. Heavy rains started that continued not for hours and days but for years. It inundated the craters, ditches, trenches and pools. Oceans and seas came into being. Years after this, about four billion years ago, early organic molecules appeared in the water on Earth. It was the precursor of life. It started changing in shape, size and appearance and adapted to a changing environment. The wheel of evolutionary cart set rolled, and it is still rolling.
Life in the universe
Years after the formation of the solar system, with Earth in the third position from the sun, life did not appear on any other planets except Earth. From the beginning of the first organic substance to gargantuan dinosaurs, and from them to modern human beings, the evolutionary journey is a saga of continuous hard work of Nature to experiment and evolve a more adapted creature. Humans are highly advanced living beings with high cognitive ability and a well-developed brain, capable of reasoning and logic. The evolutionary process doesn’t stop here. It is an ongoing process.
Evolution continues
Despite the presence of highly developed organisms in the form of humans, Nature is still experimenting. The evolutionary factors and forces are still at work. It is though slow and imperceptible, but it is occurring. Bacteria have become antibiotic-resistant due to rapid changes in their genetic structure. Gradually it has made inroads in humans too. Due to the evolution of antibiotic resistance, the microbes are becoming stubborn and causing new diseases. The human body is gradually becoming accustomed to a new condition. The customisation of humans according to their surroundings is a process of evolution.
Why only Earth?
Even though the Earth is a part of our solar system and is almost similar in composition, why doesn’t life appear on other planets like Mars, which is next to Earth or in the cosmos? It is a question which is constantly churning the human mind. Many theories have been put forth, but there is no conclusive evidence of life other than on Earth. Many modern techniques have been used, radio signals sent to space, but nothing except the noise of space was heard in response to them.
Life on Mars
The exploration and pictures sent by rovers from the Martian surface revealed the possibilities of life on Mars. Water is an important factor and vital for life, at least the life humans are accustomed to. Being small in size, the planet cooled down fast and hence magnetic elements couldn’t percolate deep down. It resulted in the loss of the global magnetic field. In the absence of it, solar and other Cosmic radiation directly hit the surface making the atmosphere rare. Low pressure and rare atmosphere caused the fast evaporation of water. This might be a cause of the lack of life on Mars.
Mars: Possibilities
In the given circumstances, life on Mars is not possible. The transportation of humans to Mars would be like committing Harakiri. Water was present, but now it is not and the environment is exposed to harmful solar and cosmic radiation. It is very dangerous to any organisms what to talk about humans. All physical barriers aside, the huge cost of Mars colonisation is itself a great impediment. For a rosy idea of colonising Mars, a self-sustainable way would be a necessity. In extreme cases, if it is carried out, humans living on Mars would be facing new challenges that would lead to fast genetic change and evolution.
Prospects of life on Mars
It seems harsh but fact is that under given conditions, colonisation of Mars is not only a distant dream but impossible. Humans took millions of years to become a human. The fancy idea of colonisation of Mars would change the whole scenario. It is a utopia and mental rumination by those who are mooting about it. The money they want to grow exponentially by floating such rosy ideas is impractical.
Scientific explorations and discoveries are for the welfare of all, not for such fancy ideas or developing destructive warheads. Scientific knowledge must be used to emancipate humanity, not for such a gaudy show of money power.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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