Mars habitat

A Mars habitat is a hypothetical place where humans could live on Mars.^[2][3] Mars habitats would have to contend with surface conditions that include almost no oxygen in the air, extreme cold, low pressure, and high radiation.^[4] Alternatively, the habitat might be placed underground, which helps solve some problems but creates new difficulties.^[5]

One challenge is the extreme cost of transporting building materials to the Martian surface, which by the 2010s was estimated to be about US$2 million per brick.^[6] While the gravity on Mars is lower than that on Earth, there are stronger solar radiation and temperature cycles, and high internal forces needed for pressurized habitats to contain air.^[7]

To contend with these constraints, architects have worked to understand the right balance between in-situ materials and construction, and ex-situ to Mars.^[8] For example, one idea is to use the locally available regolith to shield against radiation exposure, and another idea is to use transparent ice to allow non-harmful light to enter the habitat.^[8] Mars habitat design can also involve the study of local conditions, including pressures, temperatures, and local materials, especially water.^[8]