by Hayes Lester, Evan Mulia, and Colin Im

On September 10, 2025, NASA scientists announced their analysis of evidence of the conditions for life that have been found on Mars. In 2021, the Mars Perseverance rover collected rocks from an area known as the Jezero Crater. These rocks date back to 3 billion years and after years-long analysis, they have been shown to have traces of carbon, an essential building block for life, as well as other organic materials that could have been caused by water-dwelling microbes, a sign that at one point liquid water existed on the planet. Many people hope that in the future, we can create the conditions to make Mars a habitable planet. Earth is the only planet we currently know that has the conditions to support life, and it would be encouraging to verify that at one point in its past, Mars had the potential to support life.

Currently, Earth is the only habitable planet in our solar system. Even though Earth and Mars have some similarities, they have many more differences. Earth is covered in water, with about 70% of its surface being liquid water. Earth's atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Earth has a stronger gravitational pull than Mars because Earth is bigger than Mars. In addition, it is a warm planet, with an average temperature of 59℉ (14℃) . The temperate climate on Earth is much more hospitable for life; this is because Earth is in the “Goldilocks zone,” which means that it's not too close or too far from our Sun.

Zebra-stripped rock on the surface of Mars

While Mars has some conditions that can support life, such as essential elements needed for life in its soil and rocks, it has many more factors that create challenges for sustaining human life. For example, its atmosphere is a thin layer of gas composed mostly of carbon dioxide, which is toxic for humans. In addition, it does not have an ozone layer to protect the planet from harmful solar radiation. The atmosphere provides very little water vapor or oxygen, making it almost impossible for humans to breathe on Mars. In addition, Mars has polar ice caps but no significant liquid water to drink or for agriculture. Another consideration is the weak gravity on Mars. Mars’s gravity is just 38% of our Earth, which is actually harmful for long-term human habitation. This low level of gravity can actually cause diseases like osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones, leading to bone density loss and a greater likelihood of fractures. Other issues stemming from a low-gravity environment include muscle atrophy and cardiovascular conditions. Finally, the temperature on Mars is often deathly freezing. Sometimes, it can be -225℉ and other times it can be 75℉ which is a 300 degree temperature differential. It goes without saying that -225℉ is impossible for humans and most living organisms to survive in.

Why are scientists so eager to explore the colonization of Mars despite all these challenges? People want to colonize Mars for scientific discovery, along with human curiosity and ambition. Another reason is as a type of planetary “Plan B.” In the event of something catastrophic such as an asteroid collision or the total deterioration of our environment, then we must have an alternative solution in order to continue human existence. In addition, scientists and others are interested in the amount of raw materials on Mars, along with the possible advancement of our knowledge of how to survive an extraterrestrial existence.

Currently, we have taken a few steps in a multi-stage process to colonize Mars. NASA has sent rovers and orbiters to explore the surface of Mars, map resources, and select future sites. They are also developing plans for how human civilization could live on Mars for extended periods. Organizations such as SpaceX plan to send unmanned “starships” to Mars within the next few years to prepare for pre-colonization, and they have begun assembling teams to plan and train for a self-sufficient colony by the mid-2030s.

The next steps needed to fully colonize Mars start by studying what will allow humans to survive on Mars. For example, we will need to find ways to grow crops on the planet. Scientists are experimenting with hydroponics and aeroponics, where food is grown in water and with mist. Obviously, a crucial need will be generating sufficient oxygen to survive inside an artificial environment on Mars. NASA’s new technology for oxygen on Mars is called MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment). MOXIE basically works by using solid oxide electrolysis to split CO2 molecules, creating oxygen and carbon monoxide. This will be placed in enclosed domes or underground bunkers that can also protect people and plants from harsh radiation. They will also need to scale up solar energy infrastructure as well as develop alternative sources of power. While these difficulties and others will need to be overcome, several companies and organizations are already tackling the challenge in order to expand our range of liveable space within our solar system.