explain the rationale for going to Mars at all (Why are we bothering?)

Body paragraph 1 (Planning):
• Where is Mars?
• What shape is its orbit?
• What are the problems to overcome in order to stay alive on Mars?
Body paragraph 2 (The journey and landing):
• First get to Low-Earth Orbit, then ignite engines some more to reach escape velocity.
• How much does it cost per kilogram? (Check your notes from the Moon unit) You might want to travel light.
• Radiation probably won’t give you superpowers; it may just kill you.
• How long is the journey?
• Martian atmospheric entry and getting to the surface in one piece.
Body paragraph 3 (Making a living):
• What crops do you plan to have?
• What will you need to do to the soil to use it? Will you even use the soil?
• What problems will you have with the dust and soil?
Body paragraph 4 (Terraforming):
• What does a long-term colony look like?
• How might the colony be different 50 years later compared to 500 years later?
• What materials will you use to build? Where will you obtain them?
• What kind of structures would your base have?
• What are some ideas to change the Martian atmosphere?
• Where will you live; on the surface or underground? Why?
Summarize all these thoughts and ideas into a concluding paragraph of unparalleled freshness.
Paper Requirements: