[An illustration of Mars, Image Credit to Pixabay]

The Royal Society announced on October 24th that “A City of Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?” by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith has won the 2024 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize.

The book was selected from a shortlist that included “Everything is Predictable” by Tom Chivers and “Eve” by Cat Bohannon announced in early August. 

“A City of Mars” examines the practical realities of Martian colonization, challenging numerous assumptions about space settlement.

The authors make their position clear in the book’s introduction, stating, “Leaving a 2 [degree Celsius] warmer Earth for Mars would be like leaving a messy room so you can live in a toxic waste dump.” 

Their conclusion, based on the blurb, suggests Mars is neither viable nor realistic at present; focusing on Earth remains the best option.

In a recent interview with CNN on November 22nd, Kelly Weinersmith addressed the possibility of near-term human settlement on Mars.

Discussing SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s vision, she noted, “[He] is saying that in the next 30 years, we’re going to have a million people on Mars.”

Weinersmith strongly contested this timeline, stating, “No way that you could scale up to a million people on Mars without something catastrophic happening, either in terms of it turns out we can’t have babies up there, and moms and babies are dying or getting cancer.”

“If you want to do this, it’s got to be the slow work of generations to build up to a point where we could be self-sustaining on Mars,” she continued. 

“It’s such a harsh environment requiring complicated equipment to keep you alive, and I just can’t see that happening on Mars in the near term.”

Her response has become an issue in both scientific and the public sphere, particularly among supporters of Musk’s ambitious 20-year timeline for a self-sustaining Martian city.

While some observers praised Weinersmith for providing “a reality check,” others remain committed to Musk’s vision. 

The author revealed that her initial optimism about Martian settlement had diminished through her research, warning that rushing the process would lead to “catastrophe.”

Among the key challenges identified, reproduction stands as a primary concern.

Scientists currently lack comprehensive data on how space radiation, reduced gravity, and microgravity affect human pregnancy and childbirth. 

Current research indicates that microgravity weakens bones and muscles, potentially posing risks during labor and infant development. 

Other obstacles include Mars’s thin atmosphere, toxic soil chemicals,  high levels of radiation and agricultural challenges. 

The book also explores space governance issues including territorial rights, resource allocation, and potential political conflicts.

While living on Mars is an intriguing concept, substantial research and experimentation lie ahead before such ambitious plans can be realized.