Colonizing Mars

Many scientists believe humans will one day live on Mars. It is the planet most like Earth in our solar system. But Mars is very cold and has almost no breathable air. Building a colony on Mars would be one of the greatest adventures in human history. Many people and companies are already making plans.

Challenges of Living on Mars

Mars has a very thin atmosphere, so people could not breathe outside. Temperatures can drop to minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The trip from Earth takes about 7 months. Colonists would need to grow their own food and make their own water and air. They would live in special habitats that protect them from radiation.

Making Mars a Home

Scientists have many ideas for living on Mars. They could build underground homes to block radiation. Plants could be grown in greenhouses. Water ice on Mars could be melted for drinking. Some scientists even dream of terraforming Mars, which means slowly changing its atmosphere to make it more like Earth. This would take hundreds of years.

Fun Facts

• A day on Mars is about 24 hours and 37 minutes, almost the same as Earth.
• Mars has about one-third of Earth's gravity, so you could jump three times higher.
• SpaceX founder Elon Musk has said he wants to build a city on Mars.

Did You Know?

Because Mars is so far from Earth, messages take between 4 and 24 minutes to travel between the two planets. Colonists could not have a real-time phone call with people on Earth.