Marin and Beluffi showed that earlier studies were too constrained 6. But what is the feasibility of survival on another planet for a small group of humans? The problem has already been addressed in terms of sufficient genetic diversity and social adaptation by several authors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. As pointed out by Sagan, in this case, the only possible way to avoid the end of the world as we know it might be to settle another planet within a short period of time 2. Humanity could be threatened with extinction due to some cataclysmic event 1.
If this relatively low number is confirmed, survival on another planet might be easier than expected, provided that the organization of the settlers is appropriate. The proposed method allows assessments and comparisons, opening the debate for the best strategy for survival. The minimum number of settlers has been calculated and the result is 110 individuals. For survival on Mars, some assumptions are made for the organization of the settlers and engineering issues. An important parameter of the model is called the sharing factor, which allows some reduction of time requirements per individual if, for example, the activity concerns the construction of an object that can be shared by several individuals. It is based on the comparison between the time requirements to implement all kinds of human activities for long term survival and the available time of the settlers. I show here that a mathematical model can be used to determine the minimum number of settlers and the way of life for survival on another planet, using Mars as the example. The use of in situ resources and different social organizations have been proposed but there is still a poor understanding of the problem’s variables. What is the feasibility of survival on another planet and being self-sustaining? This question is of particular importance for the future of the space conquest and perhaps also for the future of humanity in general.
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