By Alexandra MONTEIRO LOPES (LUX-S6PTA)
Edited by Julia DEC (MAM-S5ENC)
Throughout history, humans have always expressed curiosity for exploration. From the Age of Discovery to the moon landing, we have long been committed to venturing into the unknown, at times driven by ambition rather than immediate profit. It serves as a stage for the most influential nations to compete, showing how far our technology has come. Now, this spirit of competition has a new destination: Mars.
But why would we colonize Mars? Well, Mars is the most viable destination for interplanetary colonization due to its relative proximity to Earth, their similarities and the scientific explorations currently underway. A day on Mars lasts 24,6 hours making it incredibly similar to a day on Earth. Additionally, the presence of ice provides an essential resource to sustain human life and support potential future bases.
Despite the journey taking around 7-9 months, it is the planet closest to us. Continuing to explore Mars can help us understand planetary processes, including why Mars became a cold, dry planet, while Earth remained habitable.
Colonizing Mars would arguably be the achievement of the century. It would serve as a testament to the bravery and desire to explore the unknown, representing the great leap in our journey to explore our solar system and subsequently the universe.
Various private firms and countries are making plans to send humans to Mars before 2050. NASA, for example, is building foundations for future interplanetary missions through the Artemis program. Artemis II is predicted to launch April 2026; the flight test will be NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft. The 10-day flight will be NASA’s first established long-term presence on the Moon for scientific purposes. It’ll be the foundation for human deep space exploration capabilities, paving the way for further exploration of Mars.
SpaceX is at the forefront of private initiatives, with ambitious plans to colonize Mars. Elon Musk predicts to send humans to Mars after 2030, defying our current technology and understanding of science. Along with Starship, a completely reusable spacecraft projected to transport large loads and up to 100 passengers.
Countries like China and India are also investing in programs of interplanetary exploration. China has already showed intentions of sending crewed trips to Mars after 2040.
Space Exploration would trigger a series of advancements and opportunities which would benefit humanity in multiple aspects. Space Explorations would lead to great development of our current technologies. Spatial Missions would require lightweight materials able to resist extreme conditions, such as radiation and extreme temperatures. Such innovations could be applicable in aviation, construction, and even electronic industries. Since Mars colonies would need to be heavily self-sufficient, this would lead to systems of renewable energies. This could have great potential in remote and underprivileged regions of the Earth.
Space demands maximum efficiency when it comes to resource management. Systems to purify water, recycle air, and minimize waste would need to be implemented and have important applications in densely populated areas. Studies show that growing food in space benefits agriculture in arid or urban conditions, helping to overcome the challenge of food security.
Spatial Missions inspire people of all ages to highlight the importance of careers in scientific areas. They incentivize the youth to look for innovative solutions for future challenges. Stories of spatial exploration, such as the Moon and Mars landings, are examples of how collaboration and persistence can lead conquests previously thought to be impossible. More often than not, spatial projects involve international collaboration and promoting a feeling of unity and belonging. The exploration of space offers opportunities to answer the most profound questions of humanity, amplifying our understanding of the universe and life. The tangible and intangible benefits of this adventure result in improvements for Earth and inspire future generations to question whether something is truly impossible.
Something so ambitious and inspiring doesn’t exist without its challenges and controversial questions. From financial costs to ethical and environmental dilemmas, it highlights the complexity of this initiative. Spatial Exploration is one of the most expensive activities ever carried out by humanity. To develop the necessary technologies to launch rockets and keep crewed missions, the field requires an astronomical budget. Programs such as Artemis, NASA or SpaceX rockets cost dozens of billions of dollars. Even though long-term benefits might overcome the initial costs, there is no guarantee of success. The uncertainty of the return of investment scares investment away. Meanwhile, the Earth has plenty of problems that require our immediate attention. Critics of this idea argue that these resources should instead be invested in education, healthcare and climate change prevention.
Space Exploration leaves behind a significant ecological footprint both on Earth and potentially on other planets. Launched rockets burn enormous amounts of fuel, releasing greenhouse gases and pollutants into the atmosphere. The growing amount of orbital debris threatens future satellites which are essential for communication and environmental monitoring on Earth. In case we find bacterial life on Mars, colonization could alter or even destroy these ecosystems, leading to ethical questions about our responsibility in protecting them.
This also raises ethical questions about whether or not we have the right to colonize another planet. Exploration and colonization bring questions of sovereignty, possession, and governance. Currently, the Treaty of External Space of 1967 establishes that no country can claim any property over any celestial bodies. However, this won’t stop private enterprises or international collaborations from trying to get around these rules.
Behind these challenges lies the fundamental question: is exploring other planets a priority or an unnecessary ambition? While Space Exploration has the potential of benefiting humanity long-term, it demands careful and weighted decisions to ensure these efforts aren’t harming our planet or repeating historical inequalities and mistakes.
