A team of researchers have developed a plan for how humans could colonize Mars, the Moon or potentially any planet in the solar system. In a new study, scientists from Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) designed a self-sustaining research base that could potentially support manned missions for several years at a time. The multi-step plan involves sending a robot to Mars to build the base, harnessing the red planet's natural resources and ultimately sending a crew to its surface that could live there for at least nine months. Scientists from Switzerland's École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne designed a self-sustaining research base that could support manned missions for several years at a time Like others have theorized before, EPFL scientists believe humans are most likely to find success setting up a base at the North pole of Mars. Many experts, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, have suggested that Mars' poles are suitable for sustaining human life because they contain vital natural resources.