It’s a pipe dream. Humans will never “colonize” Mars. Any spacecraft that manages to make the arduous journey will be destroyed by the violent galestorms that sweep the planet with winds hundreds of miles strong, not to mention unsustainable surface temperatures and deadly radiation. Also, no water, so everything necessary for survival would need to be brought along. God created Earth as a habitation for humankind.
Let’s see...
“It’s a pipe dream. Humans will never “colonize” Mars. Any spacecraft that manages to make the arduous journey will be destroyed by the violent galestorms that sweep the planet with winds hundreds of miles strong,”
The atmosphere on Mars is only 1% as dense as Earth’s. Therefore high winds won’t be a problem at almost any point. As a matter of fact, that was the part of “The Martian” I found least believable.
“not to mention unsustainable surface temperatures and deadly radiation.”
The first thing to be done (and perhaps before any humans arrive) will be to build underground habitats. Those provide stable temperatures and radiation shielding. Nuclear reactors and solar panels can provide plenty of power.
“Also, no water, so everything necessary for survival would need to be brought along.”
That is simply not correct. There’s evidence for very substantial amounts of water, both in the polar caps and underground. Liquid water flows producing erosion have happened since we’ve been observing the surface in detail.
All that said, we should begin by colonizing the Moon for sure...
“God created Earth as a habitation for humankind.”
Along with the rest of the Universe... :-)
I agree. However, mankind also has the urge to reach for more. We have overcome very significant obstacles, and I think it's reasonable to believe that we will overcome many more.
The difference between Earth and Mars is just distance and environment. Physics, chemistry, and biology. We can do a lot with that ... IF we accept that physics, chemistry, and biology are going to kill some of us. Maybe a lot of us, in gross rather than percentage quantities.