Independence from Earth

The construction and realization of colonies on Mars is much simpler when combined with in situ production of goods, and much less expensive. Local production can help to gain Independence from Earth, and is probably essential regarding food, energy, materials and breathable air.

Financial

• Transportation from Earth to Mars is very expensive. Unless new technologies come along, transportation costs will remain in the order of a minimum of 140$/kg, and may well be anywhere up to 500$ per kg if volumes are low.
• The Cost of energy on Mars for an early settlement might range widely, depending on technology. For a average cost of 100$/GJ, or 0,1$ per MJ, the Embodied energy tables can serve to calculate costs for local production of goods. These need to be corrected using suitable multipliers for work and distribution.

• A multiplier of 3 is suggested here. With such a multiplier:
  • Water on Mars might cost 0,5 x 3 x 0,1 = 0,15$/kg, air might be in the range of 0,3$ per kg.
  • Steel might be 10$ per kg
  • Food might be 1300 x 3 x 0,1 = 390$/kg. This would be one of the most expensive large volume items on Mars, and for short stays, it's probably cheaper to bring the food than to produce it on site. However, for longer term stays, the investment of means to produce food from Martian resources is cheaper for a settlement.

Technological

There is a technological risk of failure in the transport from Earth to Mars. In case the colony is not independent the logistics chain is vital for survival of the settlers. Any failure during transport can lead to a fatal shortage on food, energy or critical elements in production chains.

Energy is hard to store, and hence can not be brought to Mars in large amounts, except perhaps as nuclear fuel. As energy is at the base of all production, local production of energy on Mars is essential.

Political

Only a few people on Earth are really interested in space travel. Hence, the state's budget for space projects is small. If support from Earth stops some day due to political issues, the settlers might be completely on their own. So it is better to be independent, and at the same time reduce costs so these are politically more acceptable on Earth. So independence is a Win-win process.

Control of certain goods and services often serves to control remote populations. Political independence, supported by physical and production independence would give the populations of a Martian settlement more control of their affairs.

Sociological and personnal

Some people like the idea to have their fate in their own hands. The motivation to set up a settlement with the ability to thrive indefinitely is great. Where there is significant growth, there are often significant new opportunities. This can be contrasted with older societies that may be stratified, rigid and compartmentalized, giving less opportunities to change one's situation in the society.

If Mars is to serve as a backup for Earth, by definition it needs to be independent from Earth. To act as a backup, Mars doesn't necessarily need to be able to survive on its own forever. It would be sufficient to survive for the time required to restore Earth to better conditions, whatever the source of Earth's difficulty is. It might be better to say that Mars can serve as a backup for civilization, while the Earth restores itself as it has done in the past.

See also

• Equipment for autonomous growth
• Foundation of an Autonomous Colony