I'm not sure what the "deep hole idea" actually achieves. The Martian atmosphere is still mostly Co2, we can't breathe it, and it's not as if we can do without an airlock all together? Then there's the fact that we need ready access to the surface for agriculture. Sure there's radiation up there, but can't we deflect that from our greenhouses using carefully controlled access windows that don't let direct rads fall on our plants, and mirrors?
Some seem to imagine glass that reflects certain wavelengths or rads, but is that really possible? For instance, see this illustration...
I'm against nuclear on earth due to the sheer expense, but on Mars we're talking about the space program here and a compact source of instantly available power will be needed the moment those first settlers step out of the craft!
So as the text to the above illustration says...
Quote:
Back to the Burrow is one of the illustrations made by Manchu. It was conceived by Pierre Brisson. Guidelines were the following :
1. Permanent settlements on Mars would have to be protected from solar and cosmic radiations.
2. To grow plants and small animals in greenhouses, sunlight must be used.
3. Nuclear power should be the main supplier of energy but its danger should not be underestimated (and therefore the power station should be at some distance of the settlement, protected by some natural obstacle).
4. Solar energy should be used for safety and as a way to satisfy marginal needs of power.
5. Inflatable structures will be a must on Mars, being well adapted to containing gases as they can easily adjust to varying pressures. They will allow creating large living volumes for a minimum mass. In particular they will be used for roofing greenhouses.
6. Semi buried constructing is a way to use the strength of compact Martian soil and underground, for structuring the habitats. Ancient Ethiopians used the process for “building” their churches in Lalibela in the twelfth century and these churches remain in perfect conditions almost 1000 years after they were dug out.
7. The round design is esthetical and economical. Once the perimeter is defined, it is easier to protect and structure the inside. Compactedness is maximum; distances to any point are minimal.
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Mars Homestead Project™ Image Gallery - Information
However, if we decide to create an underground civilisation there's always...
But the artificial power needs are going to be horrendous as opposed to solar power growing our plants for us once we've built the surface greenhouses. However, remember Mars gets those dust storms that can last a year...
so maybe we need to start off underground anyway?
If I were a Martian settler I'd want multiple backups in power, constructed homestead, 4 airlocks to each entrance in case 2 broke, and about 3 years worth of food and water stored away safely as we learnt to grow our own....
