One-Way Human Settlement Projects

Instead of bringing a crew to Mars and getting them back after several months, a manned one-way mission is considered. The crew stays on Mars without any planned return concept.

Why do a manned one-way mission?

• Building a permanent Martian settlement is the actual aim to reach. Planning and performing a return mission does not bring us much further to reach this aim and is, therefore, a waste of time.
• The costs of the preparation of a return vehicle is high. A one-way mission is much cheaper and yields the same technological and scientific results. If the saved effort is spent to build a comfortable long term settlement, the technological and scientific results are much higher.
• The health risk of extended space travel is high. Due to inertia constraints the shielding of a space ship is only partially possible.

Possible scenarios

Mission with planned death

The crew is brought to Mars with a certain amount of supplies (food, oxygen, etc.) that lasts, let's say, a year. When they run out of supplies they die and the mission is over. There are plenty of volunteers for such a mission, for it is a great honour to be the first on Mars.

Foundation of an Earth-supported colony

The crew is brought to Mars with a certain amount of supplies (food, oxygen, etc.) that lasts, let's say, a year. Early before they run out of supplies they receive replenishment from earth. A constant logistic maintains the colony indefinitely.

Foundation of an autonomous colony

People are brought to Mars not before a basic artificial habitat with houses, supplies and equipment for a long term stay has been deposited on Mars' surface. The equipment is technologically sufficient to allow the settlers to grow their own food, extend their settlement etc.

See Also

• List of current missions