With all the events going on, including Phoenix Mars Lander's recent demise and the discoveries provided by the two twin rovers, Opportunity and Spirit, as well as the uncertainty raised by the space shuttle retirement process and its replacement system, scientists still find the time to think about the future of Mars missions. More specifically – human colonization and the ability to sustain it energy-wise. A team of MIT specialists are focusing on this matter on NASA's behalf.

 

Among the discussed alternatives, which were eventually narrowed down to 13, were, of course, solar arrays (either fixed or tracking the Sun), nuclear (fission) power reactors, or radioisotope thermal generators (RTGs), which produce heat by means of a decaying piece of radioisotope and use the heat to create electricity. But the overall winners were nuclear power generators (for providing power in constant supplies) and solar thin films (if placed adequately), in spite of the distance between the planet and the Sun.

 

While nuclear generators may sound appealing (especially considering that they are used in fueling Cassini, Galileo and New Horizons probes), not everyone seems to think the same. The potential scenario of something going wrong could have catastrophic results and lead to important health issues due to the released radioactivity. Also, the equipment and the material needed in order to install an operating small-scale nuclear power plant are considered to be beyond the capabilities of modern probes.

 

On the other hand, the solar panels would have to be placed in the northern hemisphere (at a latitude between 0 and 40° north of the equator) and in such a way that they avoid the negative impact of the dust storms. But they are easier to carry and install on the Martian surface (it would take 2 trained people about 17 hours). And, as planetary scientist Colin Pillinger from the Open University in the UK explains, quoted by NewScientist, "Dust storms tend to start in well-known places in the southern hemisphere as it warms up, so it shouldn't be too difficult to avoid them."