Outpost

An Outpost is a manned base on Mars. However, it is not a settlement because the residents are only temporary.

Reason for an outpost

We need experiance living on Mars before we can colonise. We also need a manned presence on Mars. We should setup an outpost on Mars before even the first people arrive. When the time for colonisation is right, the outpost will develop into a fully fleged settlement.

Setup of an outpost

An outpost will be much like a semi-autonomous colony, albeit on a much smaller scale. Food, air, water and energy will be created in-situ. Crews could be replaced by a Manned Resupply mission