The second episode of my new segment, “Settling the Solar System,” has now aired. This week’s topic, how can humans settle on “Earth’s Twin” and create the first “Martians”? The subject has been explored for generations by scientists, speculative thinkers, science fiction writers, and more! And in the coming years, space agencies hope to send the first human explorers there. There are even plans to create a permanent human outpost there.
There’s no shortage of challenges, like the high radiation levels, low gravity, temperature extremes, and the planet’s thin and toxic atmosphere. But with the right strategies, there are incredible benefits too. These include becoming a multiplanetary species, having a “backup location” for humanity, and ushering in an era of post-scarcity economics. There’s also the potential for scientific breakthroughs. Aside from technological developments that would have countless applications here on Earth, there’s also the potential for astrobiological research Mars holds.
If humans were to find evidence of past (or present) life on Mars, we could finally answer some of the deepest mysteries – like how and when life emerged in the Solar System and if life on our two planets came from the same source. Can it be done? What will it take? And are we prepared to address the challenges, make the sacrifices, and bind ourselves to a multi-generational commitment?
Stories by Williams 
You mentioned this in the episode about the Moon too, but I really like the idea that people on the Moon or Mars will have to periodically go up to a space station for gravity therapy. I’m picturing it as a little mandatory vacation people have to take from time to time, and I kind of love that that would happen.
It’s the only long-term solution I can think of, barring some fancy medical breakthrough.