MarsDrive

MarsDrive is a strong supporter of sending humans to Mars for the purpose of settlement and to that end we stand by any and all groups that are working to settle Mars such as our affiliate organization The Mars Foundation. While it can be argued that scientific exploration can be done by robots, settlement of Mars is something meant for humanity to drive forward. We believe that only human settlements can justify the enormous expense of such missions as the hotly debated Mars Science Laboratory which was threatened with cancellation but is now being given the go ahead again. At MarsDrive our own work is focused on mission design and overcoming space transportation costs and logistics and with groups like The Mars Foundation planning for robust settlements on Mars, the future is in good hands.From the Mars Foundation Website-

The mission of the Mars Homestead Project is to design, fund, build and operate the first permanent settlement on Mars.

The initial goal for the Mars Homestead Project is to identify the core technologies needed for an economical, growing Mars Base built primarily with local materials. Efforts will then be focused on prototype projects of increasing sophistication. These could include the selection of existing equipment which could be used on Mars, or the construction of prototypes of new equipment. These steps will lead the Mars Foundation to the establishment of an entire simulated Mars settlement at a location here on Earth, which will serve as a research and outreach center.

The initial programming feasibility study has been conducted by a small Program Team, whose members have professional or academic experience in applicable engineering areas. Areas of expertise include: Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, Architecture, Agriculture, Nutrition, Process/PSSS, Electrical Systems, I&C, Data/Telecom, EHS, IE, Mars Geology/Topography, Space Transportation, Spacesuits, Systems Integration, and many others.

The Mars Foundation has also established a small board of technical advisors  who provide expertise in specific areas, and created a general "brainstorming" discussion group which is open to the interested public, regardless of their technical experience.

Some locally derived materials have been examined for initial settlement construction. These materials include locally produced fiberglass - wound on site, metals, masonry - either for un-pressurized shelter or covered with regolith to hold the pressure, polyethylene & other polymers made from ethylene from the CO2 atmosphere, and any plant products - especially if a byproduct of food growth. The MHP team continues to evaluate these options as well as a number of potential alternatives.