The Best Spot to Set Up a Colony on Mars

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on identifying the best location for establishing a colony on Mars, with a specific focus on the Hellas Basin. Participants explore various factors such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, liquid water availability, and access to minerals, while also considering hypothetical scenarios involving gas usage for pressure management.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest the Hellas Basin is favorable due to its atmospheric pressure and potential for liquid water, though its location may lead to colder temperatures compared to equatorial regions.
  • Others argue that factors like warmth, pressure, and liquid water may not be priorities for location, as these can be artificially created with sufficient power.
  • A participant proposes the idea of filling the Hellas Basin with SF6 gas to avoid the need for pressure suits, raising questions about the feasibility of achieving necessary pressure levels and the challenges of gas mixing with the atmosphere.
  • Concerns are expressed regarding the practicality of using SF6, including the amount required and its long-term stability in the Martian atmosphere.
  • Several posts divert from the main topic, questioning the number of Mars colony threads and suggesting a shift in focus to Moon colony discussions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the priorities for selecting a colony location, with no consensus on the best approach or specific locations proposed. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the feasibility of using SF6 gas and the overall best site for a colony.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various assumptions about atmospheric conditions, the viability of gas usage, and the availability of resources, but these remain unverified and are subject to further exploration.

lifeonmercury
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Where exactly on Mars is the best spot to set up camp for a colony? I've been reading about the Hellas Basin, which seems favorable regarding asmospheric pressure and ability to host liquid water (0 to 50 degrees F). However, it's located halfway between the Martian equator and the south pole, which would likely make it colder than a spot right on the equator.
 
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Not sure if warmth pressure and liquid water would be priorities for location. With enough power, those can easily be created in necessary amounts.

I'd look for easy access to rare minerals necessary for whatever technology is in use.
 
lifeonmercury said:
Where exactly on Mars is the best spot to set up camp for a colony? I've been reading about the Hellas Basin, which seems favorable regarding asmospheric pressure and ability to host liquid water (0 to 50 degrees F). However, it's located halfway between the Martian equator and the south pole, which would likely make it colder than a spot right on the equator.
If we filled Hellas Basin with SF6 Gas (Sulphur Hexaflouride), because of it's high density would we be able to do without a pressure suit at the lowest point?
 
DaveC426913 said:
Not sure if warmth pressure and liquid water would be priorities for location. With enough power, those can easily be created in necessary amounts.

I'd look for easy access to rare minerals necessary for whatever technology is in use.

That makes sense. Have you heard of any specific proposed locations? I couldn't find anything about that on the Mars One website.
 
Al_ said:
If we filled Hellas Basin with SF6 Gas (Sulphur Hexaflouride), because of it's high density would we be able to do without a pressure suit at the lowest point?
At 146 g/mol instead of 44 (CO2), it would have a scale height of ~3.3 km. To get the pressure to 0.2 bar (to have a pressure equivalent to the oxygen partial pressure on Earth) you would have to be ~17 km below zero. No way, the Hellas basin is just 7 km deep.

To make it worse, the SF6 would mix with the remaining atmosphere over time. Oh, and the 1013 tons of SF6 would be challenging as well.
 
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How many Mars colony threads do we need here?
 
Vanadium 50 said:
How many Mars colony threads do we need here?
Lets have some Moon colony threads! I'll start one.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
How many Mars colony threads do we need here?

I didn't want to be accused once again of hijacking another thread.
 
Al_ said:
Lets have some Moon colony threads! I'll start one.

Did you make it yet?
 
  • #11
Let's keep the posts in this thread on-topic; namely, on the Hellas Basin of Mars.
 

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