A crewed voyage to Mars, which US President Donald Trump mentioned among NASA’s objectives, is only half the undertaking. Should the crew delay after touchdown, protected living modules for rest, study, and maintaining good health will be necessary. Scientists have proposed an alternative to concrete and metal: constructing shelters from Martian ice.
Around the surface of Mars and nearby, an estimated 5 million km³ of frozen water exists, with potentially more beneath. At the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union, the authors demonstrated through modeling that insulating and robust structures, which simultaneously shield from solar radiation, could be made from the ice.
“This is a very fascinating concept. The chief difficulty is cargo transport from Earth, so utilizing local resources is vital,” commented Valentina Sumini, a space architecture researcher from MIT who was not involved in the work, to the Science news service.
Two “building materials” are typically considered for Mars—ice and regolith (the dusty surface layer). Regolith is tough to process: it requires sifting, component extraction, and high-temperature procedures. Therefore, a group led by Rafid Quaiyum of Harvard focused on ice and dome habitats spanning about one hectare.
Modeling Martian Outposts
Calculations indicated that an ice layer several meters thick could raise the interior temperature from about –120 °C to –20 °C—sufficient for the ice to remain stable. The authors also referenced studies where organic material additives (like hydrogels) enhanced the ice’s load-bearing strength. They estimate that a waterproof covering, likely needing shipment from Earth, would help prevent sublimation (evaporation).
The primary benefit of ice is optical: it extensively blocks ultraviolet light while allowing visible and infrared light to pass. This means the domes screen harmful ionizing radiation yet preserve the light and warmth crucial for photosynthesis and human comfort.
However, serious hurdles remain. Enormous material volumes will be needed: initial estimates suggest requiring about 15 m² of processed ice daily, with operational power comparable to the ISS energy supply. Dust storms could reduce the domes’ clarity and thermal insulation. Furthermore, drilling systems and other apparatus from Earth will be required for ice extraction.
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