From Martin Greenwood
Nigel Henbest focuses on human issues associated with a permanent Mars settlement (13 July, p 43). There are of course many major technical issues to be overcome, such as providing oxygen, water and food, all of which require serious engineering solutions. A lot of equipment will have to be flown to Mars.
Then there is also the issue of long-term maintenance of this infrastructure. One thing Mars does have in abundance is dust – and dust is the enemy of moving parts, particularly for long-term colonisation. Machinery, no matter how carefully designed and built, will suffer.
Stirling, Western Australia
