The Willingness of Humans to Settle on Mars and the Factors that Affect It

Abstract

The willingness of humans to go to Mars is one of the most important facets of a successful human colony on Martian soil and is also arguably the most neglected since even if all the technological and logistical issues of the mission were to be perfected, it would be meaningless if no one were willing to go to Mars. The aim of this study is to study people’s willingness to go to Mars, and the factors that affect it most, both positively and negatively. A pre-post study design with a survey was used for the primary data collection and analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively to derive conclusions from a total sample of 93 respondents. The results showed that the factors that most affected humans’ willingness to settle on Mars were the advancement of research and innovation and the impacts on their body as a result of radiation and microgravity, closely followed by quality of life. The findings of this research study can be utilised by firms or even states in the future to determine how to promote their Mars missions, even if they do not involve settlements.