Mars – the fourth planet from the Sun – has been extensively studied by NASA and SpaceX for decades, with the goal of transforming it into a second Earth in the future.
Transforming humans into “half-human, half-machine” could address many challenges faced when living on Mars, according to renowned British astronomer Lord Martin Rees – (Image: Shutterstock)
However, traversing space to reach the surface of Mars is one thing; overcoming the challenges of living on the Red Planet is another significant hurdle.
According to Lord Martin Rees, a prominent British astronomer, to overcome difficulties related to gravity, climate, drinking water, and survival on Mars, one proposed solution is to transform humans into “half-human, half-robot.”
This transformation relates to the various challenges humans would face while living on Mars.
First and foremost is the issue of survival in a microgravity environment.
Previous NASA studies have indicated that transitioning from one gravitational field to another can affect spatial orientation, coordination between the eyes and brain, balance, and mobility.
Astronauts also experience changes in bone and muscle structure in space. Blood in the body moves toward the head in microgravity, which can exert pressure on the eyes and lead to vision problems.
Mars is a crucial research subject for space scientists, with the aim of transforming it into a second Earth – (Image: Getty)
If preventive or coping measures are not implemented, astronauts may face an increased risk of developing kidney stones due to dehydration and increased calcium excretion from their bones.
NASA is exploring various methods to keep astronauts healthy during missions to Mars, including artificial gravity devices and vibration platforms to help regenerate bones and muscles.
Becoming a robot could be beneficial in countering the effects of microgravity on the human body. For instance, humans could have iron or steel lungs implanted under their skin to protect our soft organs and enhance our resilience under the impact of microgravity.
Next is the issue of adapting to Mars’ climate.
On the Red Planet, temperatures can plummet to -128°C. The lowest temperature recorded on Earth is -88°C. NASA has designed specialized suits that allow scientists to withstand temperatures as low as -156°C and as high as 121°C. However, if “robots” could have similar technology integrated into their bodies, it would be more cost-effective and require less equipment and space on the spacecraft.
The issues of respiration and nutrition on Mars would also be addressed if humans became robots.
The atmosphere of Mars is extremely thin and primarily composed of carbon dioxide, which makes up 96% of the air. For humans on Earth, this is a toxic gas at high concentrations. This means that if someone attempts to breathe on Mars without any protective measures, they would immediately suffocate.
NASA’s current spacesuits are equipped with air filtration systems to ensure this does not happen. However, similar to surviving extreme cold, becoming a robot with air filtration systems embedded beneath the skin could enable astronauts to breathe more easily on Mars without assistance.
Moreover, robots would be less dependent on nutritional sources from food. This is particularly significant because Mars lacks water and has a harsh climate unsuitable for agriculture.
With over 40 years of experience in research and teaching in the fields of cosmology and astrophysics, Lord Martin Rees states that merging humans and robots is not a crazy idea, but rather one of the best solutions to help humans survive on Mars.
Martian explorers would use implanted technological devices in their bodies to adapt themselves. They could evolve into a “completely different species within two generations living on Mars.”
And if one day humans can transform into robots, we will become nearly immortal. At that point, humans could undertake interstellar journeys over vast distances and hibernate for millennia.
