‘Life on Mars’ designers take silver in international comp

The Wrocław University of Science and Technology students designed the ‘Twardowsky’ Mars base for 1000 people, complete with transport, factories, field, hotels, restaurants and cafes for a Mars Society competition. Press materials

Polish ‘Life on Mars’ designers have taken silver at the international Mars Colony Prize competition in California, America.
The students from the Wrocław University of Technology picked up the second place trophy for their design entitled ‘Twardowsky’, while the creators of the "Ideacity" project from the same university came in fifth.
The delighted Twardowsky team posted on Facebook: “We got it!!! The Twardowsky project took second place in The Mars Colony Prize organized by The Mars Society.
“Our project turned out to be the second best project out of 100 from around the world.

The creators thought of factories and refineries that work with elements found on Mars, envisioned space for crops and other plants, and even came up with possible export luxury goods – vodka produced on the Red Planet.Press materials

“We have nothing left to do other than to celebrate together with the architects of our Space from More base.”
The goal of the competition was to design a self-sufficient Martian colony for a thousand people. The housing estate should import as few goods from Earth as possible while being able to produce export goods.
The planned cities had to be self-sufficient– ensuring the inhabitants would receive all the nutrition they need, as well as energy, clothing, vehicles, machinery and all everyday products, while the settlements themselves could be expanded.

The delighted Twardowsky team posted on Facebook: 'We got it!!! The Twardowsky project took second place in The Mars Colony Prize organized by The Mars Society. Our project turned out to be the second best project out of 100 from around the world. We have nothing left to do other than to celebrate together with the architects of our Space from More base.'Project scorpio/Facebook

The winners of the second award who created the Twardowsky habitat took into account not only the life-sustaining and industrial needs of the colony, but also the social ones.
The Martian city they came up with is fully autonomous. The creators thought of factories and refineries that work with elements found on Mars, envisioned space for crops and other plants, and even came up with possible export luxury goods – vodka produced on the Red Planet.
The station includes a large open space with several levels of terraces to avoid claustrophobia, dividing the colonizers into smaller groups so that they don’t feel anonymous and insignificant, and even a dating app.

The Ideacity project which took fifth place was described by its designers, as using 'the concept of an ideal city.'Press material

The Ideacity project concept was described by its designers, as using: “the concept of an ideal city.
“The main feature of the city are short distances (the colony is located on a hexagon with a side of 400 m).
“Closer to the centre we located buildings intended for everyday functioning, while industrial buildings were located on the outside of the city.

Mars Society president Dr. Robert Zubrin said: 'I’m enormously impressed by the quality of the design studies submitted. The teams investigated all aspects of Mars colonization, and many found unique new approaches in all sorts of areas. It really shows how Mars can bring humanity together.'The Mars Society

“We want most of the buildings to be underground, which will allow us to protect residents against radiation.”
Both student teams, as well as all the 25 semi-finalists of the competition nominated by the Mars Colony Prize jury in May, will publish articles on their solutions in the book "Mars Colonies: Plans for Settling The Red Planet".
First place went to the "Star City" project developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a Russian team scooping up third place for their concept "Crowd Space".

Joanna Jasińska

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