[ncmncm]

The state of robotics today is very, very far from anything that could construct a Mars colony without people there making it all happen. Even with people there, a self-sufficient Mars colony is far beyond our capacity today.

Even a self-sufficient colony in the middle of the Sahara Desert, constructed all hands-on, is out of reach.

[pfdietz]

I will believe a Mars colony could be self-sustaining if the colonists, before they leave for Mars, by themselves build all the equipment they will have on Mars, including a copy of the equipment they need to do that building.

Not holding my breath here.