Question: what would happen if you took a baby to space and then left it on mars to adapt

Emilia Arguello answered on 4 Nov 2024:

If you took a baby to Mars and left it there to “adapt,” it would face extreme and fatal challenges almost immediately due to the planet’s harsh environment (lack of a breathable atmosphere, low gravity, high radiation levels, and low temperature).

Mars’ atmosphere is almost entirely carbon dioxide (~95%). Without a space suit or any sort of breathing apparatus, a baby (or any person for that matter) would asphyxiate within seconds, sadly. Mars is also extremely cold, with average temperatures around -80°F (-60°C, comparable to average temperatures in Antarctica!). Without proper equipment and attire, one would probably get hypothermia almost instantly. Mars also lacks a protective magnetic field like the one from Earth, leaving it exposed to high levels of cosmic and solar radiation. These would significantly increase the risk of radiation sickness, cancer, and other pretty terrible health problems. For a developing child, exposure to such levels would most likely end up in genetic mutation and problems with development and growth.

Assuming the child has all the equipment to survive these conditions (and an adult carer who can provide it with food, medicine, etc.), Mars’ low gravity could cause abnormal muscle and bone development in the baby. Since muscles and bones grow strong and tall in response to the “push” of gravity, without Earth’s full gravitational pull, bones and muscles might develop weaker and thinner. The decreased gravity could also affect balance and routine physical coordination skills, like walking. On the social part, babies need a lot of social stimulation, so being alone on Mars (even with one or a few carers) might have negative impacts on how their “social brain” develops, which could include difficulty with language, managing emotions, and overall social engagement.