MIT students come up with host of problems with Mars 1

[{ Emilia }]

You wouldn't have one. A large part would be carbon dioxide.

You should read the actual MIT report (direct link to pdf).

Our integrated Mars settlement simulation revealed
a number of significant insights into architecture
decisions for establishing a Martian colony. First, our
habitation simulations revealed that crop growth, if
large enough to provide 100% of the settlement’s food,
will produce unsafe oxygen levels in the habitat. As a
result, some form of oxygen removal system is required
– a technology that has not yet been developed for
spaceflight.

and

That being said, the ISRU
technology required to produce nitrogen, oxygen, and
water on the surface of Mars is at a relatively low TRL,
so such findings are preliminary at best.

TRL (technology readiness level)

Basically growing food produces too much oxygen, you need nitrogen to bring it down to safe levels. You can't carry lots of nitrogen with you and the tech isn't ready to extract enough nitrogen on site.

 

[JES]

Well, that is quite an enlightening finding. It is probably a good thing that we found that out before we tried starting a colony.

But like I said, this will restrict the possibility of any colonies until we can somehow produce or extract the necessary nitrogen reliably.

 

[Ithekro]

Nitrogen is a common element. If nothing else it establishes a need for trade routes. If Mars can produce a lot of food stuffs by whatever mean they intend, but need nitrogen to keep the oxygen levels down, than also plan for some sort of way to get nitrogen from other sources. Places that might not be able to grow food, so they trade with Mars. Nitrogen for food. Other rare minerals go to Earth to make other colonies as the human race expands into the solar system. Earth provides manufactured goods in exchange.

 

[mos6507]

The argument has been made by Musk and others that in order to try to avert likely eventual extinction humans need to colonize nearby planets.

If you actually look at what the most likely cause of human extinction is, and compare it to the current rate of scientific advancement in spaceflight and what that could possibly do to ameliorate it--let's just say that Musk's time is better invested with Tesla.

 

[sojourner]

So, just to put some facts to that overly general statement, what's "the most likely cause of human extinction" right now?

 

[publiusr]

]Oh, Musk definitely wants to go to Mars. He just doesn't have any interest in Mars One.

Quite true it seems:

"this sequence of events is quite unintuitive"

The small scale--pushing Zubrin's live off the land approach to its limit--and beyond--anyone with sense could have predicted that.

This is why both NASA and Musk are looking at HLLVs--simply bring huge amounts of goods up there. Overkill.

Mars One probably bought into the idea that current vehicles are enough.

They're not.

Nitrogen fixation will require larger quantities. Plants can help remove certain elements from soil: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoremediation#Phytoextraction
Phytomining may become a thing...

Useful woods
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eusideroxylon_zwageri
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/top-ten-heaviest-woods/

There is certainly enough iron in all that rusty soil--so no one should be anemic.