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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ergeheilalt" data-source="post: 1423657" data-attributes="member: 3460">Well, I would like to see the human race branch out.First off, Mars is at this point in time too costly to colonize. There is no air readily available and water (to our knowledge at this time) is only located at the poles.I would be all for attempting to terra-forming Mars, however, the process is exceedingly long in nature. We would most likely not see any results for well over 200 years. So, a company or government pledging resources to trying an experimental idea that would have a two hundred year gap before results would be seen is unlikely. Also, note that currently, corporations would be unable to initiate terra-forming, as huge nuclear explosions would be required to crack the crust of mars and get water flowing once again (that is if there is any under the currently dead crust).We need to look at what Mars currently has available, in that regard - we don't know. The Moon contains rich deposits of Helium 3, an isotope that is especially valuable to nuclear fusion tests and is an REE (rare earth element). The moon is much more accessible and does not require astronauts dedicating three years of their lives to the enterprise. I think, long before we see Mars colonized, the moon will have a settlement.Erge</blockquote>