NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration


Ask an Astrobiologist
"If there was no water on Earth, what would the Earth atmosphere energy balance be like, and what effect would it have on animal life on Earth?"
  1. Special Note


    Ask an Astrobiologist has received more than 2500 questions about Nibiru and 2012, with more than 200 answers posted. Please read a summary of the answers that have already been posted, view a video on these topics, use the search feature and read the FAQ’s before submitting questions on these topics.

  1. Question

    Can People actually live on Mars?

    Today people have no way to get to Mars, so at present we certainly can't live there. If we developed a transportation system to take people to Mars, we would also need to design appropriate life support systems for them. They could not survive without a source of oxygen and water and protection from low atmospheric pressure, extreme cold, and intense ultraviolet radiation. However, these are all challenges that could be met, just as they were for humans on the Moon during the Apollo program. For additional information look at the posted answers to questions about "changes we would need to take place for Mars to be suitable for stations and space colonization" under Life or Other Worlds, and concerning "why is there so much interest in Mars for colonization" under Life Sciences.

    David Morrison
    NAI Senior Scientist

    May 29, 2003