Earth-supported colony

The Earth-supported colony is a concept of starting the colonization of Mars. It can be either a manned one-way mission or a colony with regularly changed crew.

Requirements

To keep human beings alive the following basic supplies are necessary:

• Air to breath
• Food to provide energy for the human metabolism
• Heating of the artificial habitat to a temperature suitable for humans

But there is more to keep human beings well and fit:

• Facilities for daily physical exercise under the low Martian gravity
• Company as well as privacy
• Culture, motivation, psychological attendance, reason to live

Comparison with other concepts

Compared with an autonomous colony this concept has the following advantages:

• Fewer new technology must be developed
• Smaller mass and volume of initial transportation
• Support can be adapted
• A smaller group of settlers is possible

and the following disadvantages:

• Long term costs
• The colonists have fewer opportunities for their own advancement. They are subject to leadership from Earth.

Support types

Energy and food support

The colony receives regularly fuel and food from Earth. Greenhouses are not necessary. Energy generation is needed mainly for heating. It can possibly be generated with nuclear power.

Energy support

The colony receives regularly fuel from Earth. Greenhouses or biotechnology are necessary for local food production. The needed amount of energy is higher due to the fact that the efficiency factor of any food production is below 1.

Open Issues

• What kind of fuel can be brought from Earth to Mars with the highest energy density? Also, the mass, volume and maintainability of the power plant must be taken into consideration to answer this question.
• What are the initial costs for each support type?
• What are the long term costs for each support type?
• What is known about the efficiency factor of some food production methods?