I had thought Mars colonisation was worth some debunking, besides my own, which tends to dwell on the negative economics and notable absence of a business plan. I think that an absolute requirement for any Mars colony is an enduring healthy, wealthy Earth economy a failing Earth economy cannot support something like that and for a long, long time any colony will be at much greater risk of extinction than humans on Earth. Whilst the supposed aim of future proofing humanity by colonising Mars seems quite noble I think colonies can only persist and grow if they are a net positive for the Earth economy that spawns them survival becoming true independently capable self-sufficiency is going to be an emergent outcome. I think nothing less than a full scale, comprehensively capable advanced industrial economy (and population) can support survival under the extremes of Mars or Moon. Expecting Earth charity to sustain it's growth until a colony can stand on it's own feet looks a tad optimistic. Physical trade is prohibitively expensive and there is no economic basis by which a colony can pay it's way. Colonising anywhere in space is getting way ahead of ourselves - any attempts with current tech will fail, not because Earth can't make what is required, but because colonists on Mars (or Moon) can't and Martians will have no means of buying it.
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