Researchers are using embodied carbon data from Earth's extreme environments to determine the most efficient shapes for Mars habitats. By analyzing over 59,000 buildings, the study identifies specific geometric ratios that minimize the need for material replacement and long-term maintenance. This approach treats carbon intensity as a proxy for the logistics burden of repairing habitats in harsh conditions. The findings provide a mathematical framework to reduce the environmental and material cost of sustaining human life on other planets.
