Mars

The atmosphere of Mars is characterized by extensive haze and fog, and is often further clouded by dust storms. Like Earth, Mars has seasons that result from its oblique rotational axis. The atmosphere is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, with limited amounts of nitrogen, argon, and water vapor. We have not detected any magnetic field on Mars, which leads us to believe there is no metallic core.

Satellite imagery and extensive surveying teams have reported that Mars has vast cratering like Earth's moon in addition to cracked lava beds with sheer cliffs that drop down into deep valleys. This cratering leads us believe that the planet could contain additional reserves of bio-metal.

A massive volcano, the Olympus Mons, is the largest in the solar system with a diameter of 550 kilometers and a height of 27 kilometers. Teams have not delivered confirmation on weather or not the volcano is active, yet pilots are warned that volcanic activity could acccur and would provide a significant hazard.

Wind and solar energy could provide adequate power for colonization. Moderate water supplies could be found among the frozen carbon dioxide in the polar caps.

Mars' topography and maze-like world would require special instrumentation to navigate. Negotiating riverbeds and cliffs would pose grave danger to navigating the planet's surface.

In all, we believe that Mars is a solid candidate for further NSDF investigation. Its relatively close proximity to Earth and hospitable environment in addition to the evidence of cratering makes this our second choice for colonization

Position: Forth planet from the Sun

Distance from Sun: 1.5 Astronomical Units

Distance from Earth: 56 Million Kilometers

Surface Gravity: 0.377

Surface Composition: Basaltic Rock and Solid Carbon Dioxide (Dry Ice)

Atmospheric Pressure: .007 Bar

Surface Temperature: -23 Celsius

Axis Rotation: 1.03

Sun Orbit Period: 686.98 Days

Diameter: 6794 Kilometers