[Expectant_Philosopher (OP)]

I envision a ship that would run aground with its prow pointing inland.  The ship would then mechanically anchor itself on the beach.  The top deck of the vessel would crawl forward onto the land and unfold into a greenhouse nursery.  The engine would power a desalination plant.  The exposed lower deck would collect solar energy, wind masts would deploy, along with tidal power buoys.  Starting from the shore a farming operation would extend inland, gradually spreading out from the core nursery area. Local populace could be brought in to work and manage operations. Locals would be taught technical skills to maintain the machinery.  These ships would benefit coastlines like Somalia, Tunisia, and Mauritania to name a few. These garden ships could be financed until self-sufficiency, by countries negatively affected by immigrants fleeing home countries due to starvation.

[David Cooper]

Great idea, but I'd cut out the ship part of it.

[Expectant_Philosopher (OP)]

It'd be nice if for the envisioned jaunts to Mars, if we could send robotic greenhouse ships to the Red Planet in advance to give future explorers a means towards self-sustainment.

[CliffordK]

On Earth, one can simply ship seeds around the world to remote locations that one wishes to plant.  Greenhouses, of course, can be used to extend the growing season.

Creating floating islands would be expensive, but not entirely impossible.  However, another technology that is being used is fish farming with sea pens.  Perhaps one day we'll also be harvesting algae and diatoms growing in the open sea.

As far as space exploration and possible colonization, partly or fully self-contained greenhouse ships will be important.  Perhaps "bouncing ball" landers could be used with the greenhouses on Mars, although one would need a design that was airtight for an extended period of time in a low pressure atmosphere.

Depending on the length of trip, it may be cheaper to send prepackaged food, or to grow some vegetables on the spaceship in transit, or perhaps a combination of the two.

[Expectant_Philosopher (OP)]

Water on Mars is the crux of getting settlements on Mars. As much as it would be nice to pre-position foodstuffs and automated greenhouses we won't be able to carry enough water to sustain a colony.  We need to find water on Mars, and if we find a source or a means to generate water from the Martian environment, we need to send a robotic reservoir to store water in large quantities to support life, prior to any thought of sending people there for an extended stay.

[CliffordK]

Everything indicates that there is a large quantity of water at the Martian poles.  All one would need to do is to get it to where it is needed.

[alancalverd]

Local populace could be brought in to work and manage operations.

What did they eat before the ship arrived?

Fewer people is the only sustainable option. Zero cost, too!