The destinations for space exploration: Mars
Some elements of comparison:
Despite the fact that Venus was for a long time the favorite destination for human exploration in the solar system, because of its similarities with the earth and its proximity, Mars is now the major destination for any respecting space program.
The first probes which arrived at Venus and Mars showed very clearly that Mars was more habitable and more conducive to human exploration. Because this is how, using robotic probe that scientists have begun to identify the similarities between Mars and Earth.
The surface of Mars, quite respectable, roughly equivalent to the entire land surface of our planete, so there is enough space to create a rescue planet earth.
The Martian day is distinguished only 34 minutes (over) the terrestrial day. This therefore makes it a place conducive to human life, fewer adverse effects on the body related to the biological clock.
Thanks to its tilting axis, while Mars has seasons like Earth ... And the planet has an atmosphere, some very fine, and CO2 compound but that still leaves room for a potential terraforming. This also allows vehicles landing there by airbraking and allows fuel savings.
Recently NASA observations confirmed the presence of water on Mars. It is estimated that it is now mainly in the polar cap of Mars, as well as in the soil. And it is obvious that one of the key points of the colonization of Mars, will be to find sufficient quantities of water.
One last mission proposed to date: Mars Polar, as its name suggests is designed to establish a colony in the North Pole of Mars (by take water and potentially find it life). But NASA qnd other agencies choose rather places near the Martian equator, where there would be less temperature fluctuation.
Because the temperature on Mars is indeed much lower than the lowest temperature on Earth, even in Antarctica. But this planet remains a much more hospitable place than Venus or Mercury, where temperatures are immensely higher, enough to melt lead.
What looks like the colonization of Mars:
Why, why Mars is definitely the second home of humanity? Why Mars will be our real "first step" in the huge and long conquest of space. I mean, if someone had wanted to say "colonize this planet, it is not too hostile, just close enough to you, and in the past it has been suitable for life ..." it could not have been clearer. Mars is obvious, it calls us, we can give it his life, his soul.
This could happen like that in 50 short years. You are a man, in the middle of your career, and then one day, you decide to drop everything, sell everything and leave. You buy your ticket, get on the shuttle with 800 other passengers. SpaceX rocket takes off ... a few months later, you arrive at your destination.
The shuttle landing on Phobos, where an orbital station was built on the satellite. You spend a few days there, you are identified, you get your new card, you are now a Martian. Then you board an hybrid rocket-plane connecting between Mars and Phobos. And so as you land in the spaceport of Valles Marineris, you see the lights of a city that already has several thousands of residents.
