Scientists Studied What Would Happen If You Die on Mars — And Their Findings Are Dark and Fascinating

It may be an unsettling topic, but scientists have explored what would happen to a human body on Mars. This is an important discussion, especially if humanity were to conquer Mars someday and create civilizations on this planet. Although it is rocky like Earth, they are fundamentally different in how they decompose organic matter.

Mars has a unique environment composed of a thin atmosphere, almost 100 times thinner than Earth’s, and the occurrence of extreme temperature variations. At night, the red planet could reach -125 degrees Celsius (-193 F), and at daytime about 20 degrees Celsius (68 F). Researchers found that all of these features contribute to how a corpse would decay on Mars.

The Unusual Decomposition Process on Mars

If someone dies on Mars, they would first undergo the same processes that a normal body would on Earth. The bacteria inside the body will begin working, causing rigor mortis and livor mortis. However, once the body was exposed to the cold Martian temperatures, all microbial decomposition stopped immediately.

There might be some anaerobic bacteria present in the body, which will further the decomposition, but once it is completely frozen over, the preservation starts. It means that the moisture from the tissues will sublimate, drying the body up completely, effectively becoming a mummy for possibly millions of years or indefinitely.

Read more: Astronomy Magazine

Burial, Cremation, and Recycling Options

What Happens to Your Body If You Die on Mars?

It is also important to recognize that bodies on Earth decompose because of oxidation and decomposition by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. So, when someone is buried underneath, the nutrients in their bodies will be released back into the environment; however, Mars does not possess both of these features.

This means that if a human body is buried on Martian land, it would remain largely unchanged and just occupy that space. So, an alternative can be cremation, but those need precious oxygen and fuel, of which Mars does not have an abundance of.

Scientifically, the best process, even if it could be considered unethical on Earth, is to put the body in a bioreactor, where we can simulate the decomposition process on Earth, with the help of both oxygen and microorganisms.

Protocols, Rituals, and Psychological Realities

Humanity has treated death significantly, and burials usually include rituals, so simulated Mars missions are exploring protocols for these types of scenarios. Astronauts often think, How do you store a body? Should it just be ejected into space? Or should we return them to Earth? What about the infections and risks it carries to other living humans during a space mission?

Each of the options carries its own consequences, whether it be physically or psychologically. This is an unfortunate reality that humans will have to face someday if they are to be serious about colonizing Mars. Which is why some researchers are already working on different concepts and new technology to solve this problem, but they will need more time.

Read more: Space.com

Why This Matters for Future Mars Settlements

Thinking about human death on a planet far away from ours is not just dark, it is also practical. Human beings are obviously not immortal, so even if we reach Mars and are able to create a civilization on its surface, waste management will become a life-or-death scenario.

Studies emphasize that Mars is different than Earth, and that not just includes radiation or gravity, but it also fundamentally alters the decomposition of organic matter. This showcases a sobering glimpse of what life could be on the Red planet.

Mars Has a Fatal Flaw - And No-one Has the Solution (ft. Veritasium)

Author's Final Thoughts

On Mars, death does not look like it does on Earth. A human body could be frozen and mummified for an indefinite amount of time, and maybe forever, for as long as the planet and its environment exist. So, whether it be through burial, cremation, or bioreactors, dealing with death on Mars will require both technical planning and cultural sensitivity, because in outer space, humans are not as in control as they think they are.

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