io9

It’s a Long Way Down to the Surface of Mars

By Lauren Davis Published March 14, 2014, 5:00 pm ET

Reading time 1 minute

Pell tried to focus on the repairs, but every time she passed Tharsis Colony in orbit, she had to pause and admire the view. She’d grown up in the vast subterranean silos, but from here, they were just lovely disks carved into the surface.

Concept art by Win Campos.

Astronaut [Win Campos on CGHub via r/ImaginaryStarscapes]

Explore more on these topics

Mars

Share this story

Sign up for our newsletters

Subscribe and interact with our community, get up to date with our customised Newsletters and much more.

Related Articles

Thenextinterface

The Case for Tracking Everything

If every step taken, hour slept, and heartbeat can be measured, recorded, and analyzed, are we taking control of our health or losing the plot entirely?

Gadgets Claire Maldarelli Apr 15

Curiosity Rover Selfie

NASA’s Curiosity Rover Discovers ‘Origin-of-Life’ Molecules Never Before Seen on Mars

New findings provide even more evidence to suggest Mars wasn't always a lifeless red desert.

Space & Spaceflight Ellyn Lapointe Apr 21

A wide view of the Martian surface seen from above. The landscape is split into two contrasting halves: the left side is lighter, sandy beige with faint ridges and cracks, while the right side is darker, reddish-brown and more heavily cratered. The boundary between the two regions is uneven and gradual, creating a striking colour contrast across the scene

This New Image of Mars Is Not the Same Thing NASA Saw in 1976

A new image shows a striking contrast between Mars' desert-like terrain against dark deposits of volcanic ash.

Space & Spaceflight Passant Rabie Apr 16

Martian Meteorite Contamination Study

Scientists Found Literal Ink From Ballpoint Pens in Martian Meteorites

This doesn't devalue scientific research thus far, but we might need a more unified approach for cleaning important samples, the study says.

Space & Spaceflight Gayoung Lee Apr 15

Percy Hero.width 1320

NASA Rover Finds Glowing, Ruby-Like Crystals on Mars for the First Time

The tiny grains are embedded inside pebbles found outside the rim of Jezero Crater.

Space & Spaceflight Passant Rabie Mar 31

Artist’s concept of NASA’s Moon Base.

One Day, Three Big Swings: NASA’s Bold New Plans for the Moon, Mars, and Earth Orbit

It's goodbye to Lunar Gateway and hello to Moon base.

Space & Spaceflight Passant Rabie Mar 25

Sign up for our newsletters