What scale of population is suggested as the critical mass for the Martian community to begin functioning independently?
Answer
Perhaps a thousand individuals.
The vision for the Martian city extends beyond simply housing modules; it requires achieving a functional, growing community. To reach the point where this community can sustain itself and begin to operate independently without constant reliance on Earth-based supply chains, a minimum threshold of people is necessary. This critical mass is estimated to be approximately one thousand individuals, allowing institutions and necessary social structures to begin forming organically.
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