Curiosity
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Curiosity is the last and most advanced rover from NASA. It carries several instruments for scientific investigation. One of the goals is to find signs of life on the Martian surface or a few centimeters below.
Findings
Regolith for greenhouses
The Martian regolith resembles basaltic soil from Hawaii.[1]
Conclusion: The regolith is a good base for making soil for greenhouses in the Martian colony.
Methane
The expected methane was not found.[2]
Conclusion: The absence of methane seems to provide evidence that there is no life on Mars. So, the installation of a human colony does no longer pose the problem of contamination of a possible indigenous Martian biosphere.
Radiation
Measuring the radiation levels, Curiosity finds no stronger radiation on the Martian surface than in low Earth orbit, where the ISS is. This seems the result of Mars' atmosphere deflecting parts of the cosmic rays. This is very good news as it simplifies significantly the construction of living quarters for the settlers. However, the intensity of solar flares still needs to be measured.[3]
