In recent decades, the red planet has gone from being a distant object of study to becoming the main target of human expansion beyond Earth—and the moon, of course. However, there is a resource even more important than water that has scientists scratching their heads. After all, without it, we would not be able to establish any kind of colony on Mars or any other planet. We are referring to energy.
In order to establish an infrastructure that can sustain a human community, there must be a continuous and robust energy system, something that the photovoltaic energy used in robotic missions cannot offer us at this time. This is why scientists and researchers are focusing on diversification. I started betting everything on a single horse, they will play a strategic role in geothermal, wind, and nuclear fission energy. Before long, we will be able to send Matt Damon to plant potatoes on Mars all by himself. /s
The need for energy on Mars
At first glance, it would seem normal and more than sufficient to use the solar heat that reaches the Martian surface. However, the Martian night lasts approximately 24 hours and 37 minutes, during which energy production stops completely. In addition to these nights, which last as long as a full day on Earth, dust storms are frequent and prolonged, causing solar panels to become constantly dirty. It is ironic that one of the planets that appears to receive the most sunlight and is the hottest is unable to utilize solar energy to its full potential.
The clearest example of this vulnerability is the InSight mission, which had to end its operations prematurely in December 2029.
The developers of the device did not take into account the dust accumulation it would suffer, so it stopped generating enough energy to keep itself powered. This is why, when industrial bases are developed conceptually, the first principles are self-sufficiency and continuity of supply stability.
Mars’ internal heat
Since we cannot rely on the sun while we are on Mars, another major continuous source is geothermal energy. This involves collecting the residual heat generated by the immense pressure and nuclear processes within the planet. The data from InSight confirms that it does have this type of internal heat.
Although it has an average heat flow four times lower than Earth’s (approximately $20-30 milliwatts/m2), scientists are confident that they will find access points in ancient eruptions within the planet. Signs of volcanism and liquid water have already been detected in the Cerberus region. What we do know for sure is that the first human colony could prioritize the sea and establish a base in these highly volcanic lands.
Hurricane-force winds on Mars
Although solar storms ruin the photovoltaic panels of any spacecraft that reaches Mars, this wind energy could be harnessed. Although Earth’s atmosphere is much denser than Mars’s, locations have been found on the red planet where the winds are consistently strong. To harness this low-density energy, specific Ultraturbines are already being developed, designed with much larger blades and constructed from lightweight materials to capture the maximum amount of energy and minimize inertia and launch weight.
In addition, researchers are focusing on research such as Triboelectric Nanoelectric Generators (TENGs). These generate electricity through friction, offering logistical and economic advantages, since every kilogram sent to Mars has an economic—and astronomical, badum tss!—cost.
Self-sufficient energy on Mars
In order to establish a permanent base on the red planet, it is necessary to implement an in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) system. This would involve using local materials—in this case, water ice and atmospheric CO2—to produce what is needed in the colony: breathable air, water, and fuel for the return journey. For now, oxygen production from atmospheric CO2 has already been successfully achieved with the MOXIE experiment aboard Perseverance.
Creating enough energy to power a return flight is a much more complicated matter. To produce enough fuel for a single spacecraft like Starship would require 14.3 kilowatt hours over the 26-month production cycle. That is why scientists are looking at nuclear fission energy as the only technology capable of providing the continuous power that will be needed, regardless of wind conditions.