100-1000 people wouldn’t be self sufficient. For an Iron Age village in a free biosphere? Sure. But a self sufficient Mars colony needs a sophisticated economy wealthy enough to maintain the closed ecosystem. We are taking millions of people then at least, because sophisticated economies trend towards hyperspecialised skilled labourers in large enough numbers to bring the costs of technological items right down. Such a colony would be akin to a rich city state or small western nation.
We might see some kind of manned research outpost in the next half century, but no one can say for sure. Imagine asking the question regarding a moon base in the 70s. People have been there, small space stations are on the cards, NASA is working on a plane replacement for rockets etc. Yet here we are in 2021 and no one has been further than LEO in two generations. Predicting manned space exploration is extremely difficult, colonisation even more so!
We might see some kind of manned research outpost in the next half century, but no one can say for sure. Imagine asking the question regarding a moon base in the 70s. People have been there, small space stations are on the cards, NASA is working on a plane replacement for rockets etc. Yet here we are in 2021 and no one has been further than LEO in two generations. Predicting manned space exploration is extremely difficult, colonisation even more so!
OA Wish list:
- DNI
- Internal medical system
- A dormbot, because domestic chores suck!