What Challenges Await the First Colonists?
The journey to Mars will take about six months and, according to experts, it won’t be a walk in the park. Beyond the obvious discomfort of zero gravity, travelers will face significant psychological challenges. Landing on Mars also won’t bring relief. Instead, it will usher in a new set of trials. Low gravity, high radiation, frequent dust storms, a thin atmosphere, extreme pressure fluctuations, and temperatures ranging from -140°C to +20°C will test the limits of both humans and equipment.
The first colony will likely be established in a lowland area, such as the Hellas Planitia. This vast basin, thought to have formed from a meteorite impact, has slightly higher gravity than the rest of Mars’ surface. Atmospheric pressure, while still far from Earth’s, is nevertheless quite comfortable at 1,240 Pa—twice the Martian average (for comparison, Earth’s average atmospheric pressure is about 101,325 Pa). Hellas Planitia features unique geological formations of volcanic and meteoritic origin, and during winter, it’s covered with frost. Some scientists believe that under specific conditions—higher atmospheric pressure, the right season, and favorable temperatures—liquid water could be found there.
The first colonists will live in compact modules shielded from radiation by 1-2 meters of regolith (Martian soil). In such harsh conditions, both people and technology will be pushed to their limits.
Challenges of 3D Scanning on Mars
The core components of 3D scanners—optics and electronics—are sensitive to temperature extremes. Most scanners operate within a range of +5°C to +40°C, meaning they could only be used during the Martian summer or inside climate-controlled living modules. Low gravity and the thin atmosphere won’t pose issues for the scanner, but the dust could settle on lenses and internal electronics. Mars’ high radiation levels, due to its thin atmosphere and lack of a magnetic field, could also damage the scanner’s electronics. These environmental factors will require robust protective measures to ensure reliable operation.
Additionally, 3D scanners and their data processing demand significant computational power, which in turn requires substantial energy. Generating electricity on Mars will be far more challenging than on Earth, making energy efficiency a critical concern.
Why Use a 3D Scanner on Mars?
Given the harsh Martian environment, 3D scanners will need significant modifications and optimization. This raises the question: why bother bringing such a complex device to the first colony? How can it prove useful?
3D scanning could serve several key purposes in the first Martian colony:
- Handheld 3D scanners could capture findings like probable ancient water flow traces, possible fossils, or unusual geological formations for later analysis on Earth. Scanning soil samples or meteorite impact sites would allow scientists to study Mars’ geology without the need to physically transport samples, saving significant resources given the complexity and distance of space travel.
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Scanners could diagnose and monitor the condition of living modules, solar panels, rovers, or other equipment exposed to dust storms and extreme conditions. By creating 3D models of objects before and after use, scanners could detect cracks, deformations, or dust buildup. These models could also support 3D printing of spare parts, a critical capability for a remote colony. Data from these scans could inform Earth-based scientists and engineers about which materials and designs are best suited for future colonies.
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Scanners could be used to monitor colonists’ health, diagnosing issues caused by low gravity or radiation exposure.
What Makes the Ideal 3D Scanner for Mars?
Given the unique challenges of the Martian environment, an ideal 3D scanner for the first colonists would need the following features:
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Compact and Lightweight. Ideally weighing no more than 1 kg, a lightweight scanner would be easier to handle despite Mars’ lower gravity (where 100 kg feels like 38 kg). Colonists will be encumbered by bulky spacesuits, limited mobility, and heavy gear, so every ounce saved counts.
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Sealed, Dust-Proof Design. Mars is a dusty planet, and fine sand and dust carried by wind could infiltrate the scanner’s housing, damaging optics and electronics. Protective measures, such as scratch-resistant lens coatings, would be of much help too.
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Energy Efficiency. With electricity on Mars primarily allocated to living modules, rovers, life support, and communication systems, a 3D scanner must be highly energy-efficient with optimized algorithms to minimize power consumption.
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High Precision and Resolution. To capture fine details, the scanner should offer accuracy up to 0.07 mm and resolution up to 0.15 mm. Its software should enable basic on-site analysis, such as depth mapping, distance measurements, and cross-sectional views.