In October, Elon Musk boldly declared that SpaceX, one of six companies he owns, could land a spacecraft on Mars within the next three to four years.
Some say the 52-year-old’s dreams of colonizing Mars are totally unrealistic. Others, however, think Musk’s dreams are both credible and critical for the future of humanity.
Yes, but why Mars, a cold, desolate place situated some 300 million miles away?
Mr. Neukart, like Mr. Musk, speaks about the “looming danger of being confined to only one planet.”
“With rising concerns about global challenges such as climate change, nuclear warfare, or potential asteroid impacts, establishing a human presence on another planet can serve as a form of existential insurance,” he said.
“This,” he suggests, “ensures the continuity of human civilization in the face of catastrophic events on Earth. On a more positive note, humans have always been curious. Exploring and potentially settling on another planet can inspire new generations, foster interest in STEM fields, foster a sense of unity and purpose, and leave a lasting legacy of human achievement.”
According to the esteemed academic, “The proposed blueprint for Mars settlements is not just about the Red Planet itself. It’s about pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, capability, and imagination.”
“With such a short travel time,” Mr. Neukart highlights the fact that “life support requirements would decrease drastically.” The crew would need supplies for days rather than months, meaning food, water, and oxygen needs would be greatly reduced.
This is all well and good, but how would humans thrive, not just survive, on Mars? For example, considering Mars has 38 percent less gravity than Earth, how would people procreate? How would females give birth?
“The reduced gravity on Mars,” says Mr. Neukart, “might pose challenges not just to the act itself but also to conception and fetal development. It is still unknown how the Martian environment might affect human reproductive health. Any potential settlement would need to consider privacy, medical facilities for childbirth, and possible genetic and health effects on children born on Mars.”
In addition to difficulties breeding, humans may also have difficulties breathing. The Martian atmosphere is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, with much smaller amounts of oxygen and nitrogen.
Mr. Neukart describes how, to breathe, “settlers would rely on life support systems that generate oxygen. This could be accomplished by splitting water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2) through electrolysis.”
As for food, Mr. Neukart suggests that “agriculture will be vital for a sustainable Mars settlement. Due to Mars’ thin atmosphere and harmful radiation, crops will most likely be grown indoors under controlled conditions, using hydroponics or aeroponics,” as outlined in his blueprint. Moreover, lighting could be provided by LEDs, with wavelengths tailored to optimize plant growth.
“The advent of reusable launch vehicles has caused the price of space launch to drop dramatically,” says the prolific author, “and it will continue to fall since it means that there will soon be a market in used launch vehicles, something that hasn’t existed up to now.”
“Consequently,” he contends, “it will soon be possible for people to go to Mars in large numbers. The question is: How can they live and prosper once they get there?”
According to Mr. Zubrin, a Mars colony can succeed “if it builds on its strength,“ which will involve the coming together ”of a very technically skilled population in a frontier environment which both frees and forces them to innovate.”
“The inventions they make,” he reckons, “will not only enable life on Mars, but be very useful on Earth, thereby providing the Martians with licensing income while enormously benefiting the home planet as well.”
Not everyone is as enthusiastic about transporting us to Mars as Mr. Neukart and Mr. Zubrin, however.
“Humans evolved to live on Earth,” she says, “and we should work on stopping the human-caused damage to the planet so we can continue to live here.”
“How many poverty-stricken Bangladeshis and sub-Saharan Africans, how many permanently displaced refugees across Africa and the Middle East, how many disabled and unemployable workers could come up with $200,000—or $2,000, for that matter—to move to another planet and start a new life?” she asks, somewhat rhetorically.
“Or,” more importantly, “would they even want to? Who would do the dirty work in a Mars colony, jobs that underpaid workers do on Earth? What are the ethics of giving the rich yet another advantage over the poor? This would not be ethical, and I would go so far as to argue that it would be immoral.”
Strong words from Ms. Billings.
As the race to colonize Mars heats up, expect tensions to rise, and the statements to become stronger in nature.
