For Earthlings, putting a base human on Mars is a long-held dream.

Since Galileo’s 1610 discovery of the Red Planet by Galileo, people have been fascinated with its dusty, desolate appearance for many centuries. As this fascination increased, thoughts began to surface that there might be little green guys running about on the planet. popularised in magazines and on TV during the 1950s and 60s. 

Moon race fever gripped the globe and, after Neil Armstrong was the first person to step on the moon’s surface in 1969, humanity almost immediately began its pursuit of Mars.

Although human space exploration outside Earth’s orbit was stalled over the years, new ideas involving billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Sir Richard Branson have rekindled interest in people being able to explore other worlds.

Musk, SpaceX’s CEO and chief executive officer is the most prominent. He has expressed his desire for a colony on Mars of one million by 2050.

What will it look like if we get there?

MailOnline has reviewed some of top ideas and concepts of companies and organizations around the globe in order to give you a taste of the potential visions for Mars.

ICON is a Texas-based startup in construction technology that has partnered with NASA to create one such idea.

The 3D-printed company has similarities to The Mars Lander Habitat (or HAB) in Matt Damon’s 2015 movie The Martian. It features a 55-inch television, a fitness area, and places to plant crops. 

Putting a human base on Mars has long been an aspiration for us Earthlings. One company, ICON, has revealed imaginative concepts including a 3D-printed building that shows how humans could one day live on Mars

It has been a long-held dream of Earthlings to establish a base for human life on Mars. ICON has shown us some of its imaginative ideas, such as a 3D-printed structure that could be used to live one day on Mars.

Bearing similarities to the HAB in Matt Damon's 2015 blockbuster, The Martian, it features a 55-inch TV, fitness room and areas to grow crops

It is similar to Matt Damon’s HAB from 2015’s blockbuster The Martian. The 55-inch television, the fitness area, and places to plant crops are all included.

The 158-square-metre 'habitat', known as Mars Dune Alpha, is currently under construction at the Johnson Space Center

The Johnson Space Center is currently constructing the habitat measuring 158 m2, also called Mars Dune Alpha.

The habitat will simulate the challenges of a mission on Mars, including resource limitations, equipment failure, communication delays, and other environmental stressors

It will mimic the Mars mission challenges, such as resource constraints, failure of equipment, delays in communication, and other stressors.

Crew tasks may include simulated spacewalks, scientific research, use of virtual reality and robotic controls, and exchanging communications

Crew tasks could include virtual spacewalks and scientific research.

A home on Mars: The preferred technology for constructing extraterrestrial habitats is 3D printing because of the lack of building materials required. The construction of the habitat being built by ICON at the Johnson Space Center is pictured

Mars home: Because of its low cost, 3D printing has become the most popular technology to build extraterrestrial homes. This is the construction of the Habitat being Built by ICON at Johnson Space Center.

WHICH COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS HAVE PUT FORWARD IDEAS FOR A HUMAN BASE ON MARS? 

  • ICON – Mars Dune Alpha, US
  • École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Open Architecture – Mars Case, China
  • Foster + Partners UK
  • C-Space – Mars Base 1, China
  • US SEArch+/ApisCor
  • SpaceX – Mars base alpha, US 

Because of its lack of construction materials, this is the best technology to construct extraterrestrial homes.

The 158-square-metre ‘habitat’, known as Mars Dune Alpha, is currently under construction at the Johnson Space Center in Texas.

According to the US Space Agency, it welcomed applicants for a year-long project that would simulate living on another world. The program is expected to be completed in fall next year.

Three such missions will take place, with each mission consisting of four crew members who live and work in ICON’s 3D-printed module.

It will replicate the conditions of Mars missions, such as communication delays and equipment failures, resource constraints, communications delays, and environmental stresses. 

Crew tasks could include virtual spacewalks and scientific research. 

Jason Ballard (ICON founder) said, “This simulates the best habitat that humans have ever built.”

“Mars Dune Alpha” is designed to fulfill a specific function: to train humans for life on other planets. 

“We sought to create the best analog to help humanity realize its dream of reaching the stars.

Another concept that has been shared is the “Mars Case”, by Chinese firm Open Architecture and Elon Musk’s “Mars base alpha,” which SpaceX founder John SpaceX first disclosed three years ago.

Scientists ridiculed his plan for a futuristic Noah’s Ark to Mars.

The claim was dismissed by the team as a mere soundbit. It is impossible to make this claim in the real world. 

In August the US space agency said it was welcoming applicants to take part in a one-year project to simulate life on a distant world, set to begin in autumn next year

According to the US Space Agency, it welcomed applicants for a year-long project that would simulate living on another world. The program is expected to start in fall next year.

There will be three such missions, each consisting of four crew members living and working in ICON's 3D-printed module

Three such missions will take place, with each mission consisting of four crew members who live and work in ICON’s 3D-printed module.

It is hoped that the ICON Mars base in Texas (pictured) can help NASA prepare for humans to one day live on the Red Planet

NASA is hopeful that ICON Mars in Texas (pictured above) will be able to help them prepare for human life on Mars.

'This is the highest-fidelity simulated habitat ever constructed by humans,' said ICON co-founder Jason Ballard

Jason Ballard, co-founder of ICON said that this is “the highest-fidelity simulation habitat ever built by humans.”

Bearing similarities to the HAB, short for The Mars Lander Habitat, in Matt Damon's 2015 blockbuster The Martian (pictured), the company's 3D-printed building features a 55-inch TV, fitness room and areas to grow crops

The company’s 3D printed building bears similarities to The Mars Lander Habitat in Matt Damon’s 2015 movie The Martian.

Musk stated, “The next big thing is building a self-sustaining Mars city and bringing the animals and plants of Earth there.” 

“Sorta like a futuristic Noah’s ark. It’s possible to bring two more, but it would be a bit strange if only one of them was available.  

Pictures previously tweeted by Musk show his firm’s Big F***ing Rocket, now known as Starship Super Heavy, on the surface of the Red Planet, with a dome base in the background, and what appear to be solar panels.

In a response to a question about the base and when it could be build, Musk tweeted ‘Probably 2028 for a base to be built’.

Pictures previously tweeted by Musk show his firm's Big F***ing Rocket, now known as Starship Super Heavy, on the surface of the red planet, with a dome base in the background, and what appear to be solar panels

Pictures previously tweeted by Musk show his firm’s Big F***ing Rocket, now known as Starship Super Heavy, on the surface of the red planet, with a dome base in the background, and what appear to be solar panels 

In a response to a question about the base and when it could be build, Musk tweeted 'Probably 2028 for a base to be built'

Musk replied to questions about the potential construction date and stated that he believed it would be in 2028.

Just last week he also unveiled a plan to take a 'futuristic Noah's Ark' to Mars , although this was ridiculed by scientists. The initial design for Mars base alpha is pictured

He also revealed a plan for a futuristic Noah’s Ark to Mars last week, but scientists dismissed it. Here is the initial Mars base alpha design.

Open Architecture, Beijing’s design company, created the Mars Case in collaboration with Chinese tech giant Xiaomi.   

This compact and self-sustaining space measures 7.8ft by 7.8ft by 6.5ft.

The base has a ‘living bubble’ that can be inflated and collapsed and then folded up into itself, ‘like packing and unpacking a suitcase.

There is an open living space, which appears to include a kitchen, bathroom and storage.

Xiaomi’s smartphones can control lighting in your home and appliances with ease. 

The Mars Case (pictured), meanwhile, was created by Beijing-based design firm Open Architecture in partnership with Chinese technology giant Xiaomi

In collaboration with Chinese tech giant Xiaomi, Beijing-based Open Architecture created the Mars Case (pictured).

It was unveiled in 2018 as a compact, self-sustaining living space, measuring just 7.8ft long, 7.8ft wide and 6.5ft tall

The compact living area measures just 7.8ft in length, 7.8ft wide, and 6.5ft high. It was revealed to the public in 2018.

Inside, there is a main living area, what appears to be a bathroom, a desk, some chairs and a storage area

The main living area is located inside, with what seems to be a small bathroom, desk and chairs.

A 'living bubble' attached to the base can be inflated, collapsed, and folded into itself 'like the packing and unpacking of a suitcase'

The base has a ‘living bubble’ that can be inflated and collapsed and then folded up into itself,’similar to packing and unpacking a suitcase.

Smartphones, such as those made by Xiaomi, can be used to control appliances and other functions, like lighting, in the house

Xiaomi smartphones, for example, are able to be used as a control device for appliances, lighting, and many other house functions.

Even windows are attached to the structure, which would explode upon inflation. 

C-Space revealed another Chinese design, Mars Base 1 by C-Space. Also known as Mars Camp. 

The Red Planet simulator, built in China’s Gobi desert, is a 574,039 square feet (53,330 square meter) complex.

China’s space agency CNSA hopes the camp will become a hub for adventure-seekers and researchers alike, in order to tackle the challenges facing astronauts on Mars. 

Another Chinese design was revealed by the company C-Space, called Mars Base 1 and also known as 'Mars Camp' (pictured)

C-Space also revealed another Chinese design. It was called Mars Base 1 by C-Space and is sometimes referred to as Mars Camp (pictured).

China's space agency, CNSA, hopes that the camp becomes a centre for researchers and adventure-seekers alike in the future to take on challenges that face astronauts on Mars

China’s space agency CNSA hopes the camp will become a hub for adventure-seekers and researchers alike, in order to tackle the challenges facing astronauts on Mars.

The white-coloured base has a silver dome and nine modules, including living quarters, a control room, a greenhouse and an airlock

It is white in colour and has nine modules. These include living quarters and a control area.

The Red Planet simulator, built in China's Gobi desert, is a 574,039 square feet (53,330 square meter) complex

Red Planet simulator is located in China’s Gobi desert. It covers 574,039 feet (53.333 square meters).

This location is meant to replicate the harsh environment and landscape of Mars.

A white base features a silver dome with nine modules. These include living quarters and a control area.

The facility is designed to look like Martian housing and can accommodate up to 60 persons.

This facility includes several modular containers interconnected, including a greenhouse as well as a mock compression chamber.

Scientists from Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), meanwhile, designed a self-sustaining research base that could potentially support manned missions for several years at a time.

This multi-step strategy involves sending a robotic colony to Mars, using the planet’s resources, and finally sending a crew there to live for nine months.   

Scientists from Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), meanwhile, designed a self-sustaining research base that could potentially support manned missions for several years at a time

Scientists from Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), meanwhile, designed a self-sustaining research base that could potentially support manned missions for several years at a time

They envision sending a robot to Mars to build the base, harnessing the red planet's natural resources and sending a crew to its surface that could live there for at least nine months

The team envisions sending a robotic to Mars to construct the base and harness the planet’s resources to send a crew there to live for nine months.

The multi-step plan involves sending a robot to Mars to build the base, harnessing the red planet's natural resources and ultimately sending a crew to its surface that could live there for at least nine months

It involves sending a robot from Mars to help build it, and then harnessing Mars’ natural resources to send a crew there to assist with its maintenance. The plan could last at most nine months.

The scientists' plan also involves creating a crane system (pictured) that would orbit around the Red Planet, serving as a transfer point for goods between shuttles coming up from Earth and the base on Mars

Scientists also plan to create a crane system that orbits around Mars. This would allow for cargo transfers between the shuttles returning from Earth and Mars.

It would be able to be reused up to six times and reduce the size of the payload sent from Earth between each trip

The payload could be reused six times.

The concept was entered into a NASA competition calling for teams to submit 3D-printed habitats that they believe could be used to colonise the Red Planet in the coming decades. Here was another vision for a base shared as part of the contest

It was part of a NASA competition that required teams to submit 3D-printed habitats to be considered for colonization on the Red Planet. This was another idea for a base that was submitted as part of the competition.

This was another concept that was entered into a NASA competition calling for ideas of what 3D-printed habitats might look like on Mars

Another concept was submitted to a NASA contest asking for suggestions on 3D-printed habitats that might be possible on Mars.

According to scientists, the research base could be made up of three modules.

It would consist of a core that is 41ft (12.5m), high, and 16ft (5m diameter) wide.

Scientists refer to it as a “minimal living space” that could house all of the most important material and goods.

The core would have three living capsules attached via airlocks.

The dome would consist of three meters of ice and polyethylene fibre.

According to scientists who shared their vision for the dome in 2018, they would be an addition living space and a barrier that protects the crew from radiation and micrometeoroids. It also helps maintain the pressure inside the base.

A crane system would be created that orbits around Mars to transfer goods from shuttles arriving up from Earth to the base on Mars.

The payload could be reused six times, and the space required to send it from Earth would decrease between trips. 

This idea was submitted to NASA for a competition that asked companies to send 3D-printed habitats they think could be used in colonising the Red Planet over the next decade.

Among the top three winning designs were SEArch+/Apis Cor, which took first place, Zopherus from Rogers, which came in second, and the third-placed Mars Incubator from New Have Connecticut. 

The Mars Incubator (pictured) from New Have Connecticut was chosen as one of three finalists in a competition of Mars base designs by NASA

The Mars Incubator (pictured) from New Have Connecticut was chosen as one of three finalists in a competition of Mars base designs by NASA

Zorpheus' design would be constructed by an autonomous roving printer that prints a structure and then moves on to the next site

Zorpheus’ design would have been constructed by an autonomous printer, which prints a structure before moving on to another site.

The unique shape of Search/Apis Cor's habitat allows for continuous reinforcement of the structure. Light enters through trough-shaped ports on the sides and top

Search/Apis Cor is unique in its ability to reinforce the structure with continuous reinforcement. Through the top and sides, light enters via trough-shaped ports.

Nicholas McGhee (entrepreneur) founded the latter. He believes transport is the most difficult problem to overcome when trying to save the Red Planet.

He believed humans would land on Mars in 2030. But, now he believes that it will take a few years longer. 

At its broadest, the structure will measure 14- to 30-ft. Its height would be 9ft. There are four modules connected to it, with the largest being the largest. It would include bunk beds, kitchenette, bathroom and lab as well as a recreation space.

It would also include a McGhee’s group said that there is a multi-purpose area where you can exercise, store your chairs, or handle emergency situations.

Foster + Partners in London, an architecture company has shared its vision of life on Mars or the moon.

Images of 3D printed homes and autonomous vehicles were revealed by the camera. These could be used to cover the Red Planet’s surface in the future.

The homes, measuring 1,001 sq ft (93 sq m), would house up to four astronauts and be constructed using regolith – the loose soil and rocks found on the surface of Mars.

According to 2018’s vision, they would be built in three steps by semi-autonomous, pre-programmed robots.

The semi-autonomous “Diggers” robots will first choose the site and then dig a five foot (11.5 meter) deep crater into the regolith.

Meanwhile, London-based architecture firm Foster + Partners has presented its vision of what life on Mars and the moon could look like

Foster + Partners, a London-based architectural firm, has shared its vision for life on Mars and the Moon.

The dwellings would be created in three stages by pre-programmed, semi-autonomous robots before the arrival of any astronauts. This artist's impression shows the descent of inflatable living quarters and site preparation and excavation work being undertaken by semi-autonomous 'Digger' robots

Pre-programmed semi-autonomous robots will create the three-stage dwellings, before any astronauts arrive. Artist’s impression showing the construction of inflatable living quarters, site preparation, and excavating work by semi-autonomous “Digger” robots 

This artist's impression shows the second phase of the process, the landing of habitat units, with airbags deployed for a soft landing, with medium-sized 'Transporters' then moving into position over the inflatable habitat modules to layer them into place

The second phase, which involves the landing and layering of habitat units into their respective places, is illustrated in this artist’s impression. 

This is what the inside of a human base on Mars or the moon could look like, according to architecture firm Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners describes the potential inside design of a base for humans on Mars and the moon.

The delivery of inflatable modules would then be done to create the heart of settlement.

The medium-sized “Transporter” would then be placed over inflatable habitat modules in order to place them.

The loose Martian soil would be fused around the modules using microwaves – a similar principle used when 3D-printing – by several small ‘Melter’ robots.

The settlement would be protected from radiation and extreme temperatures by the fused regolith.

The designers say that the clear separation of tasks among the robots would increase the likelihood of the mission’s success — if one robot failed, or a single module was damaged, there would be others that could fulfil the task in hand. 

ICON also 3D-printed a Mars base. It has revealed Project Olympus to ICON, which is aiming at developing robotic constructions for the moon.

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama will provide a simulation of lunar soil for the company to test a 3D-printed construction. 

As well as 3D-printing a Mars base, ICON has also revealed that it is working on Project Olympus, which aims to develop robotic construction for the moon

ICON also 3D-printed a Mars base. It has now revealed that Project Olympus is underway, which seeks to create robotic construction on the moon.

Working with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the company will use a simulant of moon soil to investigate a 3D-printable construction

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama will be used by the company to simulate moon soil in order to test a 3D-printed construction.

The company has shared pictures of what its concept for a human base on the moon would look like (shown)

Pictures of the company’s concept for a lunar human base have been shared by them (shown).