As international space agencies plan crewed missions to Mars in the 2030s, the challenges of sustaining life on the Red Planet are driving innovative habitat concepts. Beyond simply landing on Mars, establishing a long-term presence requires utilizing the planet’s own resources – a concept known as in-situ resource utilization, or ISRU. Recent research presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting explores one such solution: constructing large-scale habitats from Martian ice, possibly offering radiation shielding, temperature regulation, and even supporting plant growth for future colonists.
Plans to send humans to Mars are steadily progressing, with both U.S. and Chinese space agencies aiming for the 2030s. However, a crewed mission to the Red Planet presents unique challenges – it’s more expensive and time-consuming than lunar travel, and requires a different approach to sustainability. The initial focus for Martian settlements will be leveraging existing resources and minimizing reliance on Earth-based supplies, a key tenet of space exploration innovation.
Researchers are exploring several potential solutions for establishing a foothold on Mars. These range from utilizing natural cave systems to constructing habitats from Martian regolith. A recent proposal gaining traction involves building dome-shaped structures from Martian ice, similar in concept to Earth’s igloos.
Ice offers a compelling combination of ecological and practical benefits as a building material. It provides protection against the planet’s pressure and radiation while allowing natural light to penetrate – a crucial factor for cultivating plants and maintaining astronaut well-being. This approach aligns with the growing emphasis on closed-loop life support systems for long-duration space missions.
Frozen Dome Cities Spanning One Hectare
At the recent American Geophysical Union (AGU25) annual meeting, a team of researchers presented a study on the feasibility of frozen domes on Mars. Their proposal outlines structures up to one hectare in size, divided into sections for various experiments conducted by expedition members.
Modeling suggests these ice shelters could raise the surface temperature to a stable -20°C. Considering the current average temperature is around -120°C, this shift would be transformative for human activity. Simulations also indicated the ice effectively blocks ultraviolet radiation, which damages DNA, while still allowing infrared and visible light to pass through – essential for photosynthesis.
The study also assessed processing limitations. Large-scale cities would require substantial amounts of ice. While Mars has sufficient reserves at its poles, converting that ice into construction material will be a lengthy process. Researchers calculated that, with a power source comparable to the International Space Station, only 15 square meters could be processed per day. Therefore, any frozen city project would need to be planned for the medium term.
How the ice would be transported from the poles to habitable zones, and whether these solutions will be temporary or permanent, remains to be determined. The team, which includes specialists from Harvard University, recommends conducting tests in Antarctica and low-pressure environments like the Himalayas.
Ice structures won’t replace conventional enclosed habitats. They would likely require domes within domes. After all, venturing outside without protection would cause an astronaut’s blood to boil almost instantly and prevent them from breathing due to the lack of oxygen. However, they offer a practical solution against radiation, dust storms, and the health of crops.
Areas with Martian ice are particularly attractive due to the abundance of resources that can be processed to generate oxygen, liquid water, and even fuel. This in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is considered critical for establishing a sustainable presence on the planet.
