Mars Needs...

...women. Yup, we've all heard the joke.

But NASA head Jim Bridenstine has actually come out and said that the first human being on Mars is "likely to be a woman."

This might sound like a publicity stunt, although with half of the latest astronaut class being female, it does seem more likely.

However, for those who have been following discussion on Mars trips: Yes, it's very likely, unless politics intervene, that the first "man" on Mars will be a woman. And the second. And the poor schmuck who has to babysit the ship while they play.

But, what?

It's been quietly known for years that the most efficient composition for a Mars crew is: All women.

Why?

It's simple math. Women are:

Typically smaller than men. Yes, I know there are exceptions, but on average.
Have lower energy needs, which means you have to ship and/or grow (a Mars mission would grow some of their own food via hydroponics) less food. Some women consume half as many calories as a large man when under the same levels of stress and exercise.
Tolerate G-forces and thus extreme or prolonged acceleration better.

Face it guys, women make better astronauts.

How about the obvious objections?

1. Women aren't strong enough. Truth is? The job of a modern astronaut requires brains, not raw physical strength. Additionally, if extra strength is needed, they could probably find room in the payload for a military exoskeleton, which are currently being tested.
2. Periods. What about periods? Guys are going to ask that. Fortunately, women know there are multiple contraceptive methods which can lighten periods or stop them altogether. Presumably the female astronauts who go to the ISS are using something because, yeah, nobody wants to menstruate in space.

So, there are reasons other than "crazy feminism" why Mars needs women.