The ability to empathize helps you survive on a harsh planet.
An artist’s view of a future Mars base. Illustration picture. Artur Maltsau / Alamy Stock Photo
According to a study by researchers from the American George Mason University, only 22 people would be needed to run the Mars base. Previously, it was thought that 100 to 500 people would be needed to set up a permanent base.
The study used a computer simulation in which groups of 10 to 170 people were tested for 28 years. According to this, a colony of 22 people would work best for the longest time.
Populating Mars would require both technical and social skills.
– Built habitats must be built to be self-sufficient, the researchers stated.
In order to settle Mars, it would be necessary to be able to mine water and minerals from Mars. In addition to mining, an expedition possibly sent to Mars would have to depend on goods shipments from planet Earth.
By mining water, the expedition could turn the oxygen and hydrogen breathed from the water into fuel.
Psychological challenges in a harsh environment
In addition to technical problems, the expedition would face severe psychological and social challenges. The researchers have also taken this into account in their report.
– We are trying to identify the important points for setting up a functioning base with the least number of people, the researchers said in their report.
In the computer simulation of the report, an example of personal profiles that have performed in challenging and closed conditions was included. Examples according to personal profiles came from submarines, polar expeditions and the International Space Station.
Four different psychological profiles were developed in the modeling: neurotic, reactive, social, and accepting. In addition to the psychological profile, the activities of the individuals were calculated in terms of, among other things, metabolism, skills and stress.
The researchers found that individuals with an “accepting”-like profile would survive the longest on the planet, while neurotic ones were much more likely to die. A big survival factor is believed to be the empathic ability of the “accepting” profile.
The report is awaiting peer review.
Told about it Independent.