Human Settlements in space; Mars madness?

Exponential advancements in space exploration technology and space travel mean human settlement on Mars is possible today with existing technologies. But while the machines and mechanisms are ready, are we as humans ready to face this new psychological frontier?

Programs like Mars One have been planning for the setup and population of a Mars colony for quite some time, with the goal of sending the first human pioneers in crews of four, every two years, starting in 2026.

Indeed, the search for astronauts already began in April 2013, with over 200,000 people registering for the first selection program, despite the fact it’s a one-way ticket, with no way home.

While most probably don’t find the prospect of cutting all personal ties to travel to a cold, desert-like, hostile planet - where even the fastest video link has a seven minute delay - that enticing, there are others who dream of nothing else. For these would-be pioneers, Mars represents a new world, one in which they can conduct revolutionary research and build a new home for humankind on another planet.

Out of the 200,000 dreamers, however, who will be deemed suitable for such a mission? And how long before the charms of the new frontier wear thin?

Mars One claims that each selected astronaut will be put through eight years of training in which teams will be isolated from the outside world for a few months every year in simulation facilities, to learn how they respond to living in close quarters. They’ll be trained in new skills, such as physical and electrical repairs, the cultivating of crops in confined spaces and basic medical and dental work. So, they’ll need to be smart, and open to learning new things.

They’ll also need to be comfortable forgoing personal space, as the flight itself will take between seven to eight months in the close confines of a shuttle devoid of luxuries like running water or fresh food. Combine this with the constant noise from the ventilators, computer and life support systems, and a regimented routine of 3 hours daily exercise to maintain muscle mass and you have a potentially very cranky group of space travelers.

Figure 1: (Source: http://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap)

The journey, however, is the least of any psychologist’s worries about the Mars exploration missions.

“You’re going to get a lot of people who are very high on openness to experience, who can’t wait to go on a crazy adventure, but once you get there, into a colony style situation, it’s actually going to be immensely boring,” notes Dr. Sharon Niv, who holds a PhD in Brain Cognitive Science from the University of Southern California.

“They’ll be in a place with very little stimulation; a dark, desert-type environment for the rest of their lives. It is actually going to be a shock to the system for people who seek novelty and adventure.”

Once on Mars, colonists will have to start putting together their living units, plant production units etc. Rovers will probably have done much of the heavy construction prior to the astronauts’ arrival, so it won’t take long for them to settle into routines of basic maintenance, construction and research.

Figure 1: (Source: http://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap)

“At some point in time, being a pioneer is actually very detail oriented and boring,” points out Niv.

Dr. Leslie Sherlin, a Neuroscientist and the Chief Science Officer at SenseLabs agrees, noting that “when the novelty wears off and things get down to the nitty gritty there has to be a certain amount of creativity and curiosity about one’s environment.” A sort of commitment to curiosity, if you will.

This, says Sherlin, must be coupled with a very strong desire to succeed, based on deep wells of resilience and perseverance. “They basically need to be very tough skinned,” he said, adding it was imperative to have the determination to stay dedicated to the mission, no matter what challenges they faced.

“On a day to day basis there are really two characteristics that matter” said Sherlin, “the ability to manage stressors and the ability to focus in, to rule out distractions and creatively problem solve.”

It may sound like a job for a group of strong leaders and independent thinkers, but as Niv points out, “what you really want in a small colony is a high degree of agreeableness, so being a nice person, being accommodating, being a problem solver, a peacekeeper, that’s all important.”

Sherlin agrees. “We can’t send 50 leaders into an environment and expect it to go well. They’d just fight until the end.” You’d also need to send some very diligent followers.”

To be a leader on earth, Sherlin points out, one needs a very strong sense of ego and pride, almost a naiveté around one’s own faults or opportunities for failure. “The people we often see succeed are those who try, fail, get up and keep going, almost as if they haven’t realized they failed. But in this environment that would be a little bit too risky. In this environment you’re limited with the amount of latitude you have for failure,” he said, noting the need for “people who can move swiftly, but not impulsively.”

“I can see them getting applications from a ton of narcissists – people who really want to be the first space colonists, the first on Mars, and those are people you have to be really careful with,” added Niv. “Those types of people are not going to have the team building characteristics that you want. The type you do are those with immense curiosity who are willing to forgo all their life’s pleasures to do this incredibly unique thing, for a project that could potentially be very important for mankind.”

How to test for the right candidates then? According to Sherlin, this can be done quickly and effectively by hooking applicants up to bio-feedback mechanisms and sensors while measuring their stressors when faced with varying situations where they feel a perceived harm to themselves, to others and to others on their behalf.

Niv agrees. “You want people with a very steady stress response. You don’t want people who react strongly, or even normally. You want people who react very slightly to stress – people who can handle bumps in the road, because there will be huge bumps in the road and nowhere to escape to.”

“High levels of conscientiousness and agreeableness should be good protection against high drama, in association with low stress response,” she said.

Two years after the first mission, when the second crew of colonists lands, the first team will have ideally already have built up the infrastructure using local materials. This closely bonded first team will then have to absorb and form a relationship with the newcomers, who will have to slot easily into daily life, doing tasks, and submitting research reports. There may need to be some sort of policing system as the group grows larger.

Figure 3: (Source: http://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap)

A new group of four astronauts will land on Mars every two years, slowly but steadily increasing the settlement’s size.

“It’s really important to make sure you don’t have one person or a bunch of people there who will sabotage the peace,” notes Niv.

Would she herself consider going on such a mission? She says that she would not.

“It sounds like a nightmare. So repressive and suffocating.”

And Sherlin? “I think I have what it takes, but, well, I’m very connected to a lot of people here, so, if they were going too, then maybe.”

The pioneering space spirit, it seems, makes for a very specific kind of anti-social, social, focused, resilient madness.