A new study by a team of computational social scientists at George Mason University suggests that only 22 people are needed to start a human colony on Mars. The study, which was published on the arXiv preprint server, used a computer simulation to model the survival of a Mars colony over time.
The simulation took into account a variety of factors, including the number of people in the colony, their personality types, and their skills and abilities. The researchers found that a colony of 22 people was the minimum size that could maintain a viable population over the long term.
The study also found that people with agreeable personality types were more likely to survive and thrive in a Mars colony. Agreeable people are typically characterized by being kind, cooperative, and helpful. These qualities are essential for maintaining a harmonious and productive environment in a small, isolated community.
On the other hand, people with neurotic personality types were more likely to struggle in a Mars colony. Neurotic people are typically characterized by being anxious, stressed, and easily upset. These qualities can make it difficult to cope with the challenges of living on Mars, such as the harsh environment and the lack of social support.
The findings of this study have important implications for the planning of future Mars missions. If scientists and engineers want to increase the chances of success, they will need to carefully select the people who will be sent to Mars. The goal should be to create a diverse team of people with a variety of skills and abilities, as well as agreeable personalities.
This study is just one of many that are being conducted to better understand the challenges of colonizing Mars. As we learn more about the requirements for a successful Mars colony, we will be one step closer to making this dream a reality.
Journal Information: Edgar Arguello et al, An Exploration of Mars Colonization with Agent-Based Modeling, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2308.05916