Exploring the Timeline for Human Colonization of Mars
Space exploration has always been a captivating concept for scientists, entrepreneurs and the general public alike. Following the advances achieved by SpaceX, Elon Musk has become a more popular subject for researchers, seeking to understand his objectives aiming for the main goal – inhabiting Mars. Specifically, when does Elon Musk think we will go to Mars?
The answer is that he intends for humans to arrive by 2024. His ambitious plans include a full-fledged space city, where people will be able to experience the unique environment of Mars, with eventual aspirations of full sovereignty. Such indication was given in Musk’s statement during the International Astronautical Congress in Australia back in 2017: “I think we’ve got a fighting chance of making that [2024] deadline.”
To understand the complexity of such a task requires a brief analysis of different factors contributing to space missions. Let’s start with the technological advancement required to explore the red planet. For the first time, a combination of reusable technologies (rocket booster, payload fairings) and autonomous navigation allows SpaceX to launch and land much heavier payloads than previously achievable, making Mars colonization more conceivable.
Moreover, Elon Musk’s Starship technology, representing the top of the technology line of SpaceX, enables energy-efficient interplanetary missions in up to six times greater payload, significantly reducing the cost associated with space exploration. As such, the upfront cost for developing an entirely new model for Mars colonization could be covered.
Of course, a discussion like this cannot be complete without understanding the regulatory aspect. So what laws and regulations would govern a Martian society? The US would most likely be in the lead, especially their space policy and regulations, due to their experience with many space missions and the capabilities of their space industry. According to the Outer Space Treaty, nations are prohibited from implementing any form of legislation that may cause permanent damage or harm to public resources of other space nations.
Also, the space industry is heavily dependent on governmental investments. As a reminder, NASA’s yearly budget is around $19.5 billion dollars, remaining relatively constant throughout the years. But, with increased public attention waking up the sleeping giant of space exploration, additional resources can be expected for research, experiments and technology development, which have a direct impact on space project feasibility.
Now, let’s head to the economic and business portion. Entrepreneurial space industry layers should take into consideration the three pillar concepts of consumer behavior: understanding needs, feelings and execution. That being said, space mission planning and business plans have to consider marketing strategies, innovations, testing environment and customer loyalty packages. Of course, other traditional economic concepts apply as well, such as subsidies, taxes, raw materials cost and investment returns.
Evaluating the Challenges of a Human Mission on Mars
The prospect of inhabiting Mars is a captivating thought, inspiring engineers and scientists across the world. Nonetheless, the challenges associated with such an endeavor are enormous, starting with the long distance between Earth and Mars.
Essentially, the challenge of a manned interplanetary mission requires two essential ingredients – the capability of enduring long space voyages and how to survive on Mars. As mentioned earlier, Elon Musk’s Starship technology should allow humans to travel the 205 million kilometres journey in a rather comfortable manner – with resources supporting an entire transportation system capable of nurturing a trip within 90 days.
The second hurdle is the prospect of living in the inhabitable Martian environment, a dry and freezing planet. SpaceX already designed the smallest ever autonomous rover designed for Mars, equipped with cameras and sensors, taking only four kilograms of weight to deploy. A system like this could be the essential instrument for assessing the conditions of the environment, making sure it is ready to support human life.
As to how humans can survive on Mars, Musk proposes a solution that includes an entirely new mode of architecture design, making sure the environment is shielded from cosmic radiations, while providing efficient thermal insulation.
Moreover, advances in technology should enable us to form a frame of soil and its set of nutrients, allowing us to grow our own plants. This should enable a relatively normal experience for astronauts, in terms of nutrition and connection with nature.
Inhabiting Mars also requires addressing the complexities of running business and politics in such an environment. Legal aspects of launching a business on Mars should consider the concepts of intellectual property, competition and the governance structure of a space-based economy.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Exploration of Mars
AI is probably the hottest tech trend these days, presenting a unique opportunity to entrepreneurs to develop new tech solutions. Developing new autonomous systems and powerful algorithms makes AI an essential factor in any space mission that requires extra computational power.
Well-designed AI applications can boost ideas such as long-distance space navigation, objectives management and real-time health monitoring, raising the survival chances of space travelers.
For instance, the AI application StarBug Autopilot provides a solution to deep space navigation. It is an advanced algorithm that chooses the optimal path, avoiding the dangers of collisions and the costly mistakes of invalid maneuvers.
Also, advanced AI applications can be designed for robotic exploration, featuring advanced autonomy and safety capabilities, enabling researchers to gain greater insight into Martian conditions.
An AI application like this could be of great importance, as any mission to Mars relies on the astronauts’ capacity to explore the environment and gather data, which again, may be subjected to complexities of a novel environment, such as technical problems and understanding of the environmental conditions.
What Does the Future Hold for Humans on Mars?
There is no doubt that the next steps for the space community are going to be monumental. At this moment, scientists and engineers are prepping robots and other equipment to complete preliminary studies on the soil and surface of Mars.
This is necessary before any further deployments, especially that related to physical and chemical aspects of the environment, as to reveal any changes, like water and temperatures, or the discovery of any new organisms. Each of these findings is a vital part of the equation in the success of a manned mission on the red planet.
On top of that, the International Space Station (ISS) is a platform for exploring the idea of living in space. Since its 1990’s launch, over 2400 astronauts have been aboard, doing research in the field of engineering, biomedicine and other disciplines, making vital contributions to the upcoming space mission.
The level of communications technologies has greatly improved with the invention of the internet and its many applications, such as the use of artificial intelligent chatbots and virtual reality, which help astronaut undergo prolonged isolation without the need of human contact.
Speaking of long-distance communication, SpaceX is also prepping a satellite internet, with the same goals in mind and the ambition of connecting not only astronauts in space, but also providing internet to areas where resources are scarce.
Cultural and Social Perspective on a Mars-based Society
The shift from Earth to Mars and from concept to reality may be the most difficult step. As much as the technology enables us to explore outer-space, the social structure and the cultural side of human nature remain the most crucial elements for successful human exploration of Mars.
From a cultural perspective, universe exploration may be alien to humanity, forcing us to deal with the complexities of a ‘multicultural’ Mars society. How can we construct a society that is both accepting of different cultures and aware of the socio-economic differences that may exist?
Assuming the advent of a completely new planetary culture, the Mars society could be a rule-taker of the Earth’s laws and regulations, since the US is the most experiential in that context. This may lead to a period of transition, or a unique type of assimilation, where most laws and regulations would lack the respect they deserve due to the difference in beliefs and attitudes existing in such a cultural paradigm.
In terms of the economy and industry, the Mars society might also require a completely new set of rules. This could involve how resources and trade operate between space nations, rather than just regarding resource extraction or manipulation.
As for the social construct, a Mars society may have to work out a “grand bargain” between different parties, based on an appropriate combination of a rules based on competition, cooperation and mutual acceptance. Only then, can we hope to transition from a present to a future where a societal system similar to Earth could be formed.
Last but not least, any space exploration has to take into consideration its effect on the public. One challenge is to make sure the negative aspects, such as their potential harm to the environment, will not be exaggerated, while the positive prospects (economic growth, scientific advances) are highlighted.
An Analysis of Possible Environmental Impact on an Inhabited Mars
The viability of a Mars colony highlights the implications of human presence on an ecosystem foreign to humanity, especially when talking about studying the environmental impacts from the journey itself and from the Mars colony activities.
Space exploration can cause varying levels of environmental damage, from pollution to clearance of land and natural resources. To prevent such situations from occurring, regulators may have to consider a more detailed framework for assigning responsibilities.
Distinguishing between a safe and an unsafe space is also undertaken through an advanced simulation process, which would involve creating a 3D map of the entire planet, with multiple scales of variability, to provide a comprehensive overview of any potential effects.
Also, regulations would require a real-time monitoring system to be set up, rating the level of danger of any operations conducted. As such, areas with high levels of danger, such as those consisting of volcanoes or extreme temperatures, will be under extra surveillance, to ensure their safety of space crew.
Such an observation process should provide an excellent defense against the wear and tear of the environment, creating an experienced space traveler who knows the risks to take on when conducting operations on different planets.
Conclusion of the Mission to Mars
In conclusion, the mission to Mars is far from over, despite the amazing progress in technology and leadership efforts, both from SpaceX and other great experts in the field.
The journey to exploring Mars will require all aspects to be thoroughly worked out and tested, from technological, legal and economic to cultural and environmental.
Yet, believes in the power of space exploration is building up, and all signs indicate that the human mission to Mars is now more achievable than ever before.
