If humanity is serious about colonizing Mars, we have to do more than just dream about it—we need to understand how to survive there.’
And now, you don’t need to be a scientist or astronaut to gain that knowledge.
Monash University is offering a free online course that will teach anyone, regardless of background, the essentials of survival on the Red Planet.
The four-week course, titled “How to Survive on Mars: The Science Behind Human Exploration of Mars,” is designed to make complex space survival techniques accessible to the general public.
With just three hours of online learning per week, participants will dive into the real scientific challenges of living on Mars, from producing water and oxygen to understanding the harsh Martian environment.
This isn’t just theoretical science—it’s applied problem-solving.
Astrophysicist Jasmina Lazendic-Galloway and chemist Tina Overton, the course creators, were inspired by the problem-solving approach in Andy Weir’s novel, The Martian.
“We liked that the scientists were treated as problem-solvers,” Lazendic-Galloway told Mashable.
“Not like other space films with egos and aliens everywhere. This story actually showed what science is about—not just boring facts and formulas, but real problem-solving skills.”
You’ll Need More Than Just a Space Suit
Most people assume that surviving on Mars is all about advanced technology and spacesuits.
But in reality, the key to survival will be an interdisciplinary understanding of science.
It won’t be enough to know just one field—astronauts will have to be part chemist, part physicist, and part engineer.
“Science is interdisciplinary, not just chemistry, not just astronomy, and not just physics,” Lazendic-Galloway explained.
“And on Mars, you will have to know a bit of everything.”
The first Martian settlers won’t have the luxury of specialized teams handling different aspects of survival—they will need to be adaptable, resourceful, and scientifically literate.
The course will focus on basic scientific methods applied to extreme environments, such as how to produce oxygen, extract water, and generate energy—all essential skills for surviving in an atmosphere where temperatures drop to -80°F and the air is 95% carbon dioxide.
What Will You Learn?
While full course details are yet to be released, here’s what we know so far:
- Creating Oxygen and Water: On Earth, we take these for granted, but on Mars, you’ll need to engineer solutions to generate them from the environment.
- Understanding Radiation Exposure: Mars has no protective magnetic field, which means high levels of cosmic radiation. You’ll learn how scientists plan to shield astronauts from deadly radiation.
- Problem-Solving in Extreme Conditions: Whether it’s food production, energy generation, or maintaining equipment, adaptability is key.
- Interdisciplinary Science: Expect to explore elements of chemistry, physics, engineering, and planetary science.
Why Learn This Now? Isn’t Mars Colonization Decades Away?
It might seem premature to start learning how to live on Mars when no human has even set foot on the planet yet.
But if we wait until we’re on the verge of colonization, we’ll already be too late.
Private companies and space agencies are already preparing for Mars missions.
SpaceX has ambitious plans to send a spacecraft to Mars in the near future, and NASA is actively researching the challenges of long-term space habitation.
The technology and logistics of living on Mars are being developed right now, and preparing early will make the transition smoother when the time comes.
As Lazendic-Galloway puts it, “People think that we can’t do these things.
That we can’t go back to the Moon anymore—it’s too hard and expensive. It can be done, it will be done.”
Are You Ready for the Challenge?
Whether you’re a space enthusiast, a science lover, or just curious about what it takes to live on another planet, this free course is your chance to learn from experts.
Mars has fascinated humanity for centuries, and now, for the first time, everyday people can start preparing for the possibility of setting foot on the Red Planet.
Will you be one of the first Martian explorers?
