Mars has been the focus of many a sci-fi novel and film. The reason why science fiction embraces Mars so extensively is that it is the closest planet to our own. A sense of fear conflated with a sense of excitement at what Mars represents is the perfect addition to a storyline. The red planet is close, at least relative to most other things outside of the Earth; this heightens any uncertainty and anxiety as it becomes an instance of so close yet so far. It has, it seems, been at our finger tips for decades now. Yet, a human is yet to set foot on the rocky planet.
Recent technological (and cultural) development are beginning to make not just manned Mars missions a reality but a self-sustaining colony. People are becoming more open-minded about Mars travel and many (like myself) are becoming excited at the prospects this presents. Elon Musk is certainly excited. Space X has been leading the charge on Mars colonisation and Musk has plans to get the price of a ticket to Mars down to $200,000. This would allow middle-class people to purchase a ticket and not just the absurdly rich.
It seems Mars isn’t too far away technologically or economically. However, despite a slow attitudinal change, it is precisely this element that will need to develop in order for a Mars colony to come to fruition. This change begins by answering “why?”
So, why go to Mars?
1. It’s natural
Why do we do anything at all? Any development of the human race (besides our evolutionary development) has been due to our inherent curiosity. We cannot sit still. We have to be doing something productive (or at least that feels productive) in order to feel fulfilled and a part of this production involves contributing. Contributing back to our species as our species contributes to us. The combination of contribution and curiosity has truly driven our progression.
We have always tried to learn more and continue to improve; why stop now? Well, that actually has quite a reasonable answer. Human lives are at stake. Travelling to Mars, and living there, is by no means risk free. In saying that, driving to work is by no means risk free. The risk may be less, yes. But the potential reward is also much less if you drive to work than if you fly to Mars.
2. Armageddon
The chances are high that one day the Earth will be hit by something big. Big enough to wipe out our species, along with many other species. By creating a martian colony we double our chances of survival as a species. This alone should be worth the bet.
3. It’s cool
Literally. And figuratively. Perhaps this is the same as point 1, that it’s cool because invention and exploration is cool. Nonetheless it would make a good story to tell around the campfires on Mars. The story of how we colonised it.
The technology enabling the journey and colonisation is cool too. Mars aside, much of the rocket efficiency (in particular reuse ability) improvements made by companies like SpaceX is useful for deploying the satellites which keep our communications open. That’s just one Earth-impacting improvement to come from setting our sights toward the red planet.
