The Mars Society is a nonprofit organization that advocates for human exploration and colonization of Mars. It was founded by Robert Zubrin in 1998 and its principles are based on Zubrin's Mars Direct philosophy, which aims to make human missions to Mars as feasible as possible. The Mars Society generates interest in the Mars program by garnering support from the public and through lobbying. Many current and former Mars Society members are influential in the wider spaceflight community, such as Buzz Aldrin and Elon Musk.
Musk giving details about Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft at the 2006 Mars Society convention
Mars Desert Research Station, with a central habitat, rover hangar, dome, greenhouse and an observatory.
A challenge in the University Rover Challenge where rovers have to pour fuel into a generator
Colonization or settlement of Mars is the theoretical migration of humans to Mars and the establishment of long-term human presence on the planet. The prospect has garnered interest from public space agencies and private corporations and has been extensively explored in science fiction writing, film, and art. Organizations have proposed plans for a human mission to Mars, the first step towards any colonization effort, but thus far no person has set foot on the planet, and there have been no return missions. However, landers and rovers have successfully explored the planetary surface and delivered information about conditions on the ground.
Artist conception of astronauts working outside, near a large modular habitat
An expedition-style crewed mission would operate on the surface, but for limited amounts of time.
Dust is one concern for Mars missions.
Artist's conception of the process of terraforming Mars as discussed in some works of science fiction
