Be Fruitful and Multiply! Scientists Discover Humans Will Be Able to Reproduce on Mars (4 photos)
Human life on other planets no longer seems like pure science fiction, as it did just a few decades ago. Space exploration is advancing so rapidly that establishing colonies in deep space feels like an inevitable milestone for humanity. It was previously thought that reproducing on Mars would be impossible due to lethal radiation, but recent findings show it has no effect on reproductive capabilities. 
Scientists have concluded that humans will be able to reproduce on Mars, raising hopes for a future space settlement on the Red Planet. Researchers previously feared that galactic radiation levels would destroy human DNA, making reproduction impossible. 
Recent studies have shown that sperm can survive in outer space for up to 200 years. To test this, scientists sent mouse sperm samples to the International Space Station, exposing them to lethal radiation. After six years, they found the sperm remained perfectly viable. 
Researchers conducted a similar experiment on Earth by exposing sperm to X-ray radiation, which also had no impact on reproductive viability. 
The only remaining hurdle is how to have sex on Mars under microgravity conditions. Nevertheless, experts are confident they will solve this issue in time. Scientists are actively working to preserve genetic diversity—not just for humans, but for animals as well—when humanity eventually begins migrating to other planets.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, the MDRS (Mars Desert Research Station) project is underway with dozens of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. They are attempting to adapt to daily life on another planet, spending months inside custom-built stations in the North American desert, a landscape that visually mirrors the Red Planet.
