4 ms·
I don't buy the author's arguments in general, but I think the comparison to Antarctica is probably the weakest. First of all, people have actually made a point
by crabasa 11y ago
I don't buy the author's arguments in general, but I think the comparison to Antarctica is probably the weakest. First of all, people have actually made a point of traveling to and setting-up permanent base stations in Antarctica. Second, although the raw temperatures might be similar it is the weather in Antarctica that is brutal. Bryd Station exists in blizzard-like conditions 65% of the year [1]. Obviously this would not be a concern on Mars.
[1]: http://antarcticconnection.com/information/storms-and-blizzards/ http://antarcticconnection.com/information/storms-and-blizza...
- darkmighty 11y agoOverall however establishing a habitat on Antarctica is vastly easier than on Mars, assuming we won't be able to source complex materials in situ or fabricate for at least 50 yr. The atmospheric pressure, atmospheric composition and water availability being the main advantages. If the snowfall is particularly intense solar power might be troublesome, but it's still vastly easier to settle. Proof: we reached the south pole in 1911 and have a station there since 1956.