Martian Institute of Technology

My name is Dilan Mehta and I am a rising senior at Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois. I hope my projects inspires fascination about our neighboring planet. More importantly, I hope it inspires an appreciation for our own.

The Earth is not designed to support human life. Humans are designed to live on Earth - that is the Earth as we know it. However, that version of Earth is under attack. A metaphor for the imminence of humanity's destruction created by the Bulletin of the Atomic Sciences, the Doomsday Clock ticks 90 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been. Although we would love to stay on Earth forever, threats of nuclear war, pandemics, and climate change jeopardize the condition of our habitat. Therefore, innovators like Elon Musk have proposed that we look to colonize our neighbor, The Red Planet. Musk plans to send one million people to Mars within the next 50 to 100 years through SpaceX's development of reusable rockets. As a prospective aerospace engineer, I have always been fascinated by extending humanity's scope beyond our planet. Therefore, I selected the current attraction of the space community, Mars, as my extreme environment. The general idea for my project was inspired by a conversation with my 89-year-old grandfather. Decades ago, he served as a leading structural/civil engineer of the Astrodome in Houston and the Superdome in New Orleans. Both of these structures served as refuges for victims during disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In the spirit of this challenge's mission, I chose to design a Martian university. Studying on Mars could have drastic benefits for hands-on research in fields like astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, engineering (particularly aerospace), and more. The Martian Institute of Technology would quickly advance innovation and expand the human presence on Mars while providing a remarkably unique student experience.

(The thumbnail image contains an AI-generated background.)

The supplies I used were Fusion 360 design software, the internet for research, Canva for graphics, a 3D printer for modeling - and a snack for whenever I needed a break. However, in order to actually complete this project in real life, many supplies and resources are required, which are discussed throughout this project.

Works Cited:

1. Britannica. "Mars (planet)." Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/Mars-planet.
2. Mars Polar. Hellas Basin Preliminary Study. MarsPolar.space, www.marspolar.space/files/hellas-basin-preliminary.pdf.
3. Mars Society Canada. "ISRU Part 3." Mars Society Canada, 16 Sept. 2020, www.marssociety.ca/2020/09/16/isru-part3/.
4. NASA. "Fission Surface Power." NASA, www.nasa.gov/tdm/fission-surface-power/.
5. Physics World. "Wind energy could power human habitations on Mars." Physics World, IOP Publishing, www.physicsworld.com/a/wind-energy-could-power-human-habitations-on-mars/.
6. ScienceDirect. "Where Are the Best Places to Land Humans on Mars?" ScienceDirect, Elsevier B.V., 2021, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S204604302100006X.
7. Space.com. "Mars Water Below Valles Marineris Canyon." Space.com, www.space.com/mars-water-below-valles-marineris-canyon.
8. Statista. "Doomsday Clock Development." Statista, 2024, www.statista.com/statistics/1072256/doomsday-clock-development/#:~:text=Doomsday%20Clock%3A%20minutes%20to%20midnight%20each%20year%201947%2D2024&text=In%20January%202023%2C%20the%20Doomsday,remained%20this%20close%20in%202024.
9. Technology Review. "These might be the best places for future Mars colonists to look for ice." Technology Review, MIT Technology Review, 8 Feb. 2021, www.technologyreview.com/2021/02/08/1017759/these-might-be-the-best-places-for-future-mars-colonists-to-look-for-ice/.
10. Universe Today. "Where Are the Best Places to Land Humans on Mars?" Universe Today, 2021, www.universetoday.com/159233/where-are-the-best-places-to-land-humans-on-mars/.
11. Whiteclouds. "Valles Marineris." Whiteclouds, www.whiteclouds.com/articles/valles-marineris/.
12. YouTube. "Can we REALLY build on Mars? [SPACE ARCHITECTURE]." YouTube, uploaded by DamiLee, 2 Feb. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3KxgUxPhqI.

Problem Statement: How can we design a university on Mars that utilizes local resources as much as possible, thrives structurally and aesthetically in its environmental context, generates renewable energy on-site, accommodates and protects the survival of 1000 people, and promotes comfort, well-being, education, and quality of life?

To prepare for the mission, I researched the conditions of the Martian environment. Although Mars may be the most similar to Earth out of any celestial body in our solar system, its attributes remain hostile to human settlement:

• Temperature:

Ranging from -153° C to 20° C, the temperatures on Mars are far more variant and frigid than on Earth. Due to the low atmospheric pressure in the Martian environment, areas of lower elevation tend to be drastically warmer. Martian days, known as sols, are slightly longer than human days. A martian year consists of 668 sols. Due to its elliptical orbit, the seasonal shifts on Mars are irregular compared to Earth.

• Atmosphere:

The atmospheric pressure on Mars is less than 1% of that on Earth. The thinner Martian atmosphere hinders the retention of liquid water on the surface, decreases the wind forces, allows heat to escape, and increases risks associated with radiation. In addition, the Martian atmosphere is not breathable as it is composed almost entirely of carbon dioxide (95%) and very little oxygen (.13%) and nitrogen (2.59%). In contrast, Earth's atmosphere consists of almost no carbon dioxide, 20.59% oxygen, and 78.08% nitrogen. In addition, Mars experiences frequent dust storms as strong winds pick up loose soil. Often taking months to clear up, Martian dust storms can interfere with technology, human health, sunlight, and energy production.

• Gravity:

Mars is about half the size of Earth and it exerts a gravitational force one third the strength of gravity on Earth. This drastic change to motion redefines the premise of convenience for basic human tasks, which can impact the design of these facilities. In addition, it actually lightens the load on structural components. However, there are certain minor risks to human health as a result of this change.

• Geology:

The Martian soil, known as the regolith, is rocky and loose, making construction difficult. Many important construction materials can be extracted and/or created from the regolith:

• Martian Concrete/Basalt: The idea of Martian concrete, currently a work in progress for researchers, aims to replicate the standard concrete mixture of water, calcium oxide, silicon oxide, iron oxide, and aluminum oxide using local materials. Current proposals suggest the use of Martian soil, volcanic ash, and basalt. A pervasive Martian resource, basalt is an igneous rock commonly used as insulation and as a building block material. Much current research aims to develop 3D printing technology capable of extruding a Basalt/concrete mixture for construction on Mars.
• Silicon: Silicon is another important resource common to Mars. Although scientists are still investigating methods of extracting it from the regolith, it is a versatile asset for its utility in applications like solar panels, electronics, and building material mixtures.
• Metals: Although the elements required to create Martian metal alloys are readily available in the Martian soil, scientists continue to find ways to extract these elements.
• Glass: Many proposals aim to produce glass from Martian sand or silicon.

Due to low atmospheric pressure and extreme temperatures, the Martian environment seems to prevent water from staying liquid at its surface - forcing it either into ice or vapor. Rovers have discovered proof of ice (frozen water and carbon dioxide) just a few meters below the surface in the form of glaciers and polar ice caps. It is believed that these are remnants of a much warmer and wetter Martian climate from billions of years ago. The crust of Mars is 6 to 30 miles deep, consisting mainly of iron, magnesium, aluminum, calcium, and potassium. Seismic activity has been reported on Mars, although marsquakes have been found to be less frequent and severe than on Earth.

The first step in designing a solution to the problem was selecting a construction site. In order to do so, it is important to understand the geography of Mars. Both poles consist of polar ice caps made up of frozen carbon dioxide and water. The northern hemisphere is primarily flat and has relatively low elevation. On the other hand, much of the southern hemisphere consists of what is known as the Southern Cratered Highlands, a region of high elevation marked by many indentations. The surface area of Mars is approximately equal to that of Earth's land area. Although the planet is half the size of Earth, its elevation changes are more drastic. Its topographic features include valleys, craters, canyons, volcanoes, and mountains.

The most important requirements in selecting a site for settlement on Mars include:

• Low Altitude: Low altitude areas on Mars are more optimal for settlement because they tend to be warmer and wetter and have thicker atmospheres. Topographic features of these areas may also offer a degree of protection from dust and debris (i.e. inside a canyon).
• Protection from Dust Storms: Although dust storms are common throughout the entire planet, they occur more frequently in certain areas. Regions that experience constant dust storms make for poor habitation sites as they interfere with human health and systems like solar panels and wind turbines. However, the only way to fully escape the dust storms is by choosing a high-altitude site.
• Water Supply: Water is an asset to human survival. Although Mars does not contain liquid water, settling near underground ice, preferably near the surface, is important as we can drill into it and purify it.
• Warmth: Mars is warmest at the equator, making it the most energy-efficient and habitable region. However, even at the equator, temperatures still fall from 20° C to -73° C.

Some potential settlement sites include:

• Hellas Basin: Containing the lowest point on Mars's surface (8.2 km deep), the Hellas Basin is a depression located as far South of the equator as Argentina is on Earth. There are strong indications of water frozen under the surface at this site. Due to its relatively high atmospheric pressure - roughly double that of the rest of Mars - water can be retained at the surface. Unexpectedly given its location, it experiences relatively mild temperatures. Dipping as far as -96° C in the winter, the summer temperatures rise to around 0° C. One of Hellas's disadvantages is that it experiences frequent dust storms, although this is the case on much of Mars. Building near the edge of the basin could use the crater wall as a shield against these storms.
• The Poles: The North and South poles contain ice caps made of frozen carbon dioxide and ice, which could serve as a water supply. However, the frigid temperatures and high elevations at the poles make it an unlikely settlement location.
• Olympus Mons: Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in our solar system. Its height is greater than the distance from the top of Mount Everest to the bottom of the Mariana Trench. One of its advantages are that its mountainous features could protect settlements from dust storms. Although some researchers have proposed building habitats in cavities near it formed by lava flow, the volcano's steep slopes, high altitude, and potential to erupt ruled it out as a settlement location for this project.
• Arcadia Planitia: Located in the Northern Hemisphere, Arcadia Planitia is a crater formed by ancient lava flows. Remnants of snowfall millions of years ago indicate the presence of rock glaciers inside the depression, which could serve as a water supply. However, Arcadia Planitia experiences extreme temperatures due to its Northern location.
• Deuteronilus Mensae: Closer to the equator than Arcadia Planitia, Deuteronilus Mensae is a region situated between the Northern Lowlands and the Southern Cratered Highlands. There is strong evidence that this glacial region contains ice just two or three meters below the surface, which would make it an easily accessible water supply. Its combination of inclines, canyons, flatlands, and solid rocks could serve as an ideal building location for foundation and order to block dust storms.
• Valles Marineris: Coined "Mars's Grand Canyon" (although much deeper at 8 km), Valles Marineris stretches along a quarter of Mars's circumference, making it the largest canyon network in the solar system. Detection of shocking amounts of hydrogen suggests that the canyon contains an abundant and accessible water supply at the surface, most likely in the form of ice. Stretching along the equator, the canyon experiences a warm climate. Its steep walls can be utilized as protection from dust storms.

After carefully considering the list of sites, I selected Valles Marineris because of its close alignment with the criteria for habitation (low altitude, protection from dust storms, water supply, and warmth). I 3D printed a model of Valles Marineris from NASA's website (link: https://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/detail/valles-marineris) to better visualize its topography (shown in the picture on the right). Within the Valles Marineris, the Melas Chasma section is the most ideal location. This canyon is the broadest portion of the Valles Marineris and is just barely South of the equator. With promising evidence of water, it is the most ideal location for constructing a human habitat.

After examining the various aspects of Mars, I drew up some basic plans, shown above.

For power generation, wind turbines are placed above the canyon to maximize the energy output as a result of stronger wind forces. However, Martian wind turbines are far less efficient than on Earth due to low atmospheric pressure. Another energy source I included was solar panels on the roof of the dome. Although dust can interfere with solar panel efficiency, the location inside the canyon may help. Currently, NASA and the Department of Energy aim to create a fission power system by 2030 that can generate 40 kW of power, enough to power 30 households for 10 years. This nuclear reactor will complement the other energy sources.

In addition to power, humans need water, food, and oxygen. To drill into the regolith for water, I placed a water-drilling system inside the canyon. This system drills into the ice, melts it, and purifies it. Although such a system does not exist right now, many leading innovators like SpaceX are working on such a solution. One resource in the Martian soil that could assist with water purification is the abundance of silicon. For food and oxygen, a large portion of each floor is dedicated to hydroponic gardening. In addition, a launch pad stationed near the dome connects the university to a supply chain from Earth. (SpaceX is currently working on landing their rockets upright at pinpoint locations.)

In order to monitor and optimize the air composition, heating, and pressure inside the facility, systems consisting of sensors, filtration, and air duct systems will be employed. The interior air composition will simulate Earth's atmosphere to optimize human health.

• air composition: 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, 1% other gases,
• atmospheric pressure: 14.7 psi
• temperature: 21° C

I designed the main building structure in the shape of a dome because this is a stable and resilient shape that can withstand adverse conditions such as strong winds and seismic activity. Located on the floor of the canyon, it minimizes dust storms while maximizing atmospheric pressure. The foundation of the structure must reach deep into the ground since Martian soil tends to be loose. Similar to the Astrodome, the building is encased by double walls with insulation in between to retain heat. The shape of the structure is faceted to allow for simpler construction instead of requiring curved components. The building is primarily made of a basalt Martian concrete mixture and reinforced by steel framing. Similar to the rest of the building, the dome roof structure consists of a segmented steel outline with a flat surface on top for solar panels. All of these components are sealed air-tight with silicon. The dome as well as other portions of the building are encased by two layers of durable, tinted glass panels, which let in natural light while managing radiation exposure. My main goal in designing the interior was to maximize quality of life. As a general plan, each floor consists of living units, elevators, stairs, restrooms, and hydroponic gardens at the perimeter. The middle of each floor contains unique community/utility centers. I designated the sun dome as a simulated outdoor, quad/park environment to boost mental health including sports equipment, hydroponic gardens, and an astronomy center. Since it is difficult to go outside on Mars, the building design should be spacious and open to allow for breathing room.

I then fired up Fusion 360 and began modeling the structure. I first outlined the shape of the building as a 16-sided polygon, 250 meters in diameter. I extruded this sketch upwards 150 mm to create the base of the structure.

I then designed the skeleton of the first floor, which I could duplicate up through all 16 floors. As planned, the exterior consists of two 150 mm thick concrete walls outlined by a steel frame. Between floors is both a steel outline at the perimeter and a concrete floor.

To create the sun dome, I angled the steel inwards incrementally. For both the main structure and the dome roof, glass panels and 3D printed Martian concrete fill in the steel frame. I chose which sections were concrete and which were glass by thinking ahead about the interior layout. The flat part at the top of the dome is 155 meters above the ground and is covered in solar panels. To give the university personality and culture, I created a name and logo for the university, "Martian Tech", short for "Martian Institute of Technology."

As planned, I created 4 elevator shafts and 4 stair systems.

Each staircase is U-shaped and has a landing in the middle. The riser height of each stair is slightly larger than standardized sizes on Earth since Martian gravity is weaker. Walls enclose the stairs up the building. As shown, the stairs are accessed through an open doorway.

Each of the elevator shafts consists of 4 standard-size elevators and 1 large elevator for transporting larger equipment and supplies.

To design the entrances and exits, I had to consider my thought process carefully: the controlled environment inside the structure should not mix with the treacherous Martian atmosphere. To do so, I created 4 inflatable entrances with an air-tight seal to the building using silicon. Automated systems ensure that neither door from the inflatable into the building is open at the same time as either of the doors from outside into the inflatable. Each inflatable consists of 2 doors - one for humans and one for rovers and other larger equipment/supplies. The inflatables also function as garages to store equipment such as machinery and protective suits that allow humans to explore the Martian surface.

The general plan for Floor 1 is shown above. The hospital is placed on the first floor in case of emergencies. The Terrain Exploration Center handles all trips outside the building in order to ensure safety. The security team monitors any suspicious activity and handles supplies and people entering the facility.

Floors 2-12 consist of the same general layout, as shown above. Dorms line the perimeter of the building with restrooms/showers at the ends of each segment. Much of these floors are reserved for hydroponic gardening as well.

The majority of the space in the middle remains unfilled. These centers are reserved for a variety of uses, as listed below:

• Martian museum
• food court
• classrooms
• lecture halls
• recreational center
• fitness center
• theater
• art gallery
• community-use kitchen
• shopping mall
• grocery store,
• dean's office
• management offices
• library
• student services
• etc.

One dorm unit consists of two levels - each with a square footage of 484. Since each dorm houses two people (professors, students, or other staff), the total capacity is 1056 people in the facility. Since students on Mars will not be able to go outside regularly, I wanted to ensure that the dorms were spacious and comfortable. I also structured the dorms vertically to promote mental health since this layout breaks up monotony and requires physical activity while also taking advantage of Mars's weak force of gravity. I have attached a .step file of the dorm unit model here.

Floors 13-15 consist entirely of hydroponic gardens and lab space. So much space is allocated for hydroponic gardening since the facility relies mainly on photosynthesis for its oxygen supply (as well as filtering in oxygen from the atmosphere). These hydroponic gardening systems will utilize natural sunlight as well as LED sources in the building. Therefore, these floors will be well-lit and feature added window panels.

Mocking an outdoor park environment, Floor 16 functions as the "quad" of campus. Throughout the outside of Floor 16 are hydroponic gardens accompanied by walking paths through them. In the middle are activities like volleyball nets, basketball courts, open turf fields, pickleball courts, and more. With a great view of the sky and no light pollution, the penthouse would not be complete without an astronomy center.

After around 35 hours of research and design, I finally completed the model. I used Canva to create the thumbnail image (AI) as well as all of the other graphics in this Instructable. I have attached a .step file of the Fusion 360 design here.

Shown above is a video of the various components of the building's construction.

Before humans can move into the facility, an unprecedented innovative process must occur on a vast scope.

First of all, researchers and robots need to survey the canyon to verify local water sources and other environmental and geographic conditions by establishing temporary research stations. Given that no human has ever been to Mars, gathering adequate data may take decades. Next, technology needs to develop to solve the problems detected by this data. Such developing and critical technologies include:

• pin-point rocket landings
• consistent and safe transportation capabilities to reach Mars
• methods of drilling for water on Mars
• methods of producing concrete, metal, glass, and other construction materials from the regolith
• methods of construction on Mars such as 3D printing
• nuclear fission reactor technologies

Although we are far from achieving these needed technological capabilities, the exponential growth of innovation is promising. Once all of these foundations are set for Martian exploration, which may take decades or even centuries, a rocket will carry a construction team and the necessary machinery to build the project. Once completed, adequate testing must verify the habitability of the facility. For example, we must verify that the hydroponic gardening methods produce enough oxygen for the settlement. Once all of that is completed, the university can open and students can move in. Due to the scope of the requirements for this project to succeed, I estimate this project to be completed by the year 2150.

Even if technology facilitates this project, there are ethical and legal concerns. Colonizing a foreign planet is unprecedented and may raise legal questions. In addition, critics may argue that it is not for humans to tamper with a foreign landscape even if we have the power to do so. Such action could be compared to the catastrophic implications of the Columbian Exchange. However, with the proper care and calculation in mind, the project could open up an entirely new realm for human discovery.

Once moving into an unprecedented environment, we will need to establish a way of life, a positive culture, and operational standards.

The new way of life is one spent almost entirely indoors in the same building. However, the building is designed to promote variation and enjoyment in everyday life and emphasize mental health. In addition to maintaining a balanced lifestyle, students will also be able to immerse themselves in their field of study due to the university's location and research capabilities.

In addition, community bonds at Martian Tech will come naturally through physical and metaphorical closeness. The institute will physically and symbolically serve as an insular bubble, an oasis nestled within a canyon of a toxic planet. The university also stands for a duty greater than its own existence - the preservation of mankind. The idea of greater purpose will unite a positive community culture towards achieving such innovation. In addition, since there are relatively few admission spots to the program at around one thousand, a meticulous selection process valuing teamwork and cooperative skills over conventional intelligence will establish a positive and community-oriented social climate.

Finally, daily life at the research center will be shaped by rules. Some of these discussions will include protocols for leaving the building, economic policies, laws, and more.

After completing this project, I verified its success based on the mission criteria:

• Local resource utilization: Although this mainly depends on the growth of technology in the coming century, the plan for construction aims to rely on resources in the regolith.
• Structure and aesthetics in its environment: The dome structure of the building makes it resilient to harsh environmental conditions. The meticulous care put into planning the site also demonstrates alignment with the environmental context. I am happy with the aesthetics of the design as well.
• On-site energy: This requirement also depends on technological development. However, the plan to use nuclear, solar, and wind energy theoretically achieves this objective.
• Support system for 1000 people: The facility can house 1056 people, successfully reaching this goal.
• Comfort, well-being, education, quality of life: The spacious design of the structure, the emphasis on community culture and mental health, and the on-site research capabilities hit this mark.

Throughout this project, I learned the importance of practical technology in construction and sustainability. Although it is possible to draw up complex blueprints, the feasibility of their implementation depends on the ability to utilize local building materials and to take on the environment's challenges. Something I learned through my research that I could apply to address a problem of the built environment in my own community is the importance of considering the risk factors of these treacherous environments. Growing up in a Chicago suburb, I have witnessed the destruction of Tornado Alley first-hand. Our inability to defend our homes against tornadoes in the Midwest is due to the lack of affordable building materials. Most houses are constructed primarily of wood due to the abundance of trees, demonstrating the vitality of in-situ resources. The solution may lie in synthesizing new mixtures of materials with stronger properties. For example, smart materials like the shape-memory alloy nitinol could be the future of resilient construction (although mainly used for smaller-scale applications currently). In addition, shapes like dome-shaped roofs may defend against environmental threats.

So before we go building on Mars, let's prioritize the preservation of our home planet so that we do not have to become visitors of another. We can do our part beginning in our own communities by recycling, refusing to waste, keeping our environment clean, prioritizing renewable energy sources, and taking in the natural beauties of our planet. With ubiquitous forecasts of environmental crisis, collective attention to these habits is the simplest and most effective solution because it attacks the problem from its root. A failure to do so will require humanity to gamble our own fate in reaching for extreme solutions after the fact like colonizing Mars. I created this project not because humans want to leave our turquoise oasis behind to instead inhabit a dusty freezing desert, but because we may have to. This threat we pose is a danger only to ourselves and our fellow Earthlings. The Earth will continue to spin with or without us.