A reason to go to Mars

Great points Marcel!

Mars is the most likely next large resource for colonization, with
it's rich in-situ (found on site) resources .

One minor detail though. The martian surface is covered with
regolith, not soil. The difference being that the latter has living
organisms, and can most readily sustain growth.

Martian regolith is full of oxides (rust) and other contaminants.
Therefore it will require some modification before being used in
greenhouses.

Regolith is just fine for filling sandbags though, and will make fine
radiation shielding. Heated, the silicate elements of that regolith
should produce excellent glass also. Double-paned, with a vapor or
liquid water barrier, and it should also make nice windows &
greenhouse extensions.

I hope you're correct about Phobos & Diemos becoming viable O'Neill
habitats!

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "Marcel" wrote: