Human

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The Human Race is considered the most intelligent species on Earth. If the colonization of Mars is successful, the human race will be the only known species living on more than one planet.

What makes humans different from other species?

Unlike other known species, the human race has created artificial means for a great variety of activities. The accumulation and distribution of knowledge in written form and the global communication with nearly the speed of light is a spacial ability. The human race is also the only known species capable of space travel.

Biological

Adult human individuals on Earth have the following properties:

  • Height: about 155..190 cm
  • Weight: about 50..80 kg
  • Maximum age: about 80 years
  • Energy consumption by food: 6000 to 16000 kJ (1,66 to 4,44 kWh) (depends on size and activity)
  • Air consumption: (to be completed)
  • Water consumption: 2 to 4 liters per day
  • Symbiotic relationship with a number of microorganisms (especially in the gut.)

The metabolism of human beings depends, just like animals and various microbes, on water. The human body contains about 70% water.

Social

The social behaviour on Mars will be subject to conditions that are different from those on Earth. The following issues should be considered:

  • The human brain needs frequent access to information. Experiments have revealed heavy phychological consequences after a period of information deprivation.
  • A group of male individuals tend to be more aggressive than a mixed group of males and females.
  • Humans are social creatures, and long periods of isolation can be detrimental to health. In addition to fellow colonists, animals kept as pets can provide some level of social interaction. Pixel is a cat that has been adopted by the crews of the Mars Desert Research Station.

Facts and figures

  • "Daily Kilojoule Intake" (14-16 year old boys) while moderate active: "11900-13200" kJ [1]
  • "Energy expenditure of an average day for a healthy male": "2640" kcal, daily kJoule intake with "three hours of hard work": "3630" kcal [2]

References