The manned flight to Mars that US President Donald Trump mentioned among NASA's goals is only half of the mission. If the crew lingers after landing, protected living quarters will be needed to sleep, research, and maintain health. Scientists have proposed an alternative to concrete and metal: building shelters from Martian ice.
It is estimated that there is more than 5 million km³ of water ice on and near the surface of Mars, and possibly even more below the surface. At the annual meeting American Geophysical Union Using modeling, the authors showed that ice can be used to create durable and insulating structures that also protect against solar radiation.
“This is a very attractive idea. The key issue is the transportation of goods from Earth so using local resources is very important,” commented news service Science Valentina Sumini, a spatial architecture researcher at MIT, who was not involved in this work.
For Mars, two “building materials” are often considered – ice and regolith (surface dust layer). Regolith is difficult to process: screening, component extraction, and high-temperature processing are required. So a team led by Harvard's Rafid Quayoum focused on ice houses and domes covering an area of about a hectare.
Simulation of a base on Mars
Calculations have shown that a layer of ice a few meters thick could raise the internal temperature from about -120°C to -20°C – enough to keep the ice stable. The authors also rely on studies in which the addition of organic materials (e.g. hydrogel) increased the load-bearing capacity of the dressing. According to their estimates, a waterproof coating, which would likely have to be shipped from Earth, would help resist sublimation (evaporation).
The main advantage of tape is optical: it blocks most ultraviolet light, allowing visible and infrared light to pass through. This means the domes shield harmful ionizing radiation but still retain light and heat, which are important for photosynthesis and human health.
However, serious problems remain. A huge amount of material will be needed: initial estimates say about 15 square meters of processed ice will be needed per day with an operating capacity equivalent to the ISS's power source. Dust storms can reduce the transparency and insulation of the dome. Additionally, drilling systems and other equipment from Earth will be needed to mine the ice.
