How will Elon Musk Colonize Mars
Elon Musk is no stranger to the grand vision. He has already made history by successfully launching the Falcon Heavy rocket and his other success from SpaceX to Tesla. His most audacious plan yet is to colonize Mars and make it a thriving environment for humanity. This article will discuss how he plans to achieve this task and what challenges he may face along the way.
When asked about his plans for colonizing Mars, Musk has famously answered that he aims to send thousands of people to the red planet in the coming decades. This mission has taken on the nickname of the “Mars Hopper” and it will involve sending a rocket carrying 100 passengers, supplies and equipment to Mars in order to establish a human settlement.
The potential challenges to colonizing Mars are immense. A journey to Mars would take a minimum of six months, with some estimates as long as nine months. In addition, radiation exposure in space is far higher than it is on Earth and will require special protective shielding on any spacecraft sent to Mars. On top of that, the cost of putting humans and supplies on the Martian surface will likely be exorbitant.
However, if the mission is successful, the potential benefits will be immense. By setting up sustainable human settlements on the red planet and beginning to use resources that are available there, we may have a better hope of offsetting the environmental damage we have done here on Earth. One company that has been instrumental in developing plans for a Martian colony is Mars One Ventures, who hope to send the first crew of four colonists to the red planet by 2027.
Though Mars One Ventures and SpaceX, who have already made successful attempts to land unmanned probes on the Martian surface, are making progress in the direction of Mars colonization, in reality the timeline is uncertain and the cost might be too high for even the most daring entrepreneur. There is also the question of whether humanity is really ready to colonize an entirely new planet and how it would affect how we view our own planet, Earth.
A Glimpse of Mars Life
The life and culture of a Mars colony will be much different to any that we have experienced before. It is likely that the population of the colony will be small and tightly knit, relying heavily on innovative technological solutions to overcome the unique obstacles that come with living on an alien world. Musk envisions a new form of government that would be more like a democracy and lead to a more equal distribution of power in the new Martian society.
The technology used to sustain life on Mars will need to be incredibly advanced. Tidal and gravity generators will be used to generate zero-emission energy and mineral mines will be necessary in order to produce building materials, water and food. There is also the possibility that biological organisms may be grown to produce oxygen and nitrogen, making the atmosphere more livable.
In order to ensure that the colony survives and is self-sustaining, careful planning will be required. Earth supplies and technology, including communication networks and transportation, could be sent to Mars, but detailed instructions and simulations need to be created to ensure that the colonists know how to sustain themselves in the face of difficulty and keep the colony running.
Making the Journey Possible
The journey to Mars is a long one and requires a great deal of technological innovation. Musk is betting on the technology of reusable rockets and Spaceship 2.0, a reusable spacecraft, to make it happen. Reusable rockets and spacecraft both promise to significantly reduce the cost of space travel and make the Mars mission more practical.
Yet the technology is not yet ready for the journey to Mars and a lot of work needs to be done before we can get off the ground. A new type of fuel solution, the Solar Electric Propulsion System, is being developed that could reduce the journey time from nine months to three, however this still needs further development and testing before it is ready for use.
In addition, the logistics of the journey need to be carefully considered. Musk plans to land spacecraft on the Martian surface, leave behind supplies and people and then return to Earth with a new set of passengers and supplies – a process known as “Mars hopping”. But the journey could potentially be dangerous and life support systems, both inside the craft and on the Martian surface, need to be created and tested.
Challenges of the Unknown
The colonizing of Mars would also bring new challenges that we have never faced before. Living on Mars would require the creation of a new form of government, as well as the development of sustainable agricultural and energy systems. In addition, the effects of the journey and living on Mars, such as the radiation exposure, the psychological effects of being cut off from home and the psychological effects of the colony’s isolation need to be carefully considered.
The mission also faces potential risks. Musk’s space exploration company, SpaceX, has experienced some setbacks including the failure of some of its rockets. In addition, the political situation on Earth could pose a threat to the mission, as countries may try to create conflicts between colonies or forbid the mission altogether.
What Does the Future Hold?
Though we don’t know when the first human will be sent to the Red Planet, Elon Musk will continue to lead the way in our effort to colonize Mars. He currently has two rocket launch sites, is planning a fourth and is developing a new spacecraft that could make the mission possible. Also, SpaceX is launching a communications satellite this year which will give us access to different parts of the solar system, gather real time data and prepare us for the journey to Mars.
The mission to colonize Mars will be a difficult and costly one, but with Musk’s grand vision and determination to make the mission a reality, it might not be too far away. As Musk himself says: ‘We’re going to make it happen. Anything else is a waste of time.’
