The Road to Mars

31 July 2007

This article outlines a roadmap towards Mars colonisation - it is intended as a precursor to further articles which will develop a Mars colonisation plan in more detail.

Setting aside the issue of why we should colonise Mars for the moment, let's sketch out a possible pathway along which Mars colonisation can be achieved.

Firstly let us paint a picture of what exactly we are trying to achieve. Do we just want another Earth? No, I don't think so. The goal for Mars should be to make something better than Earth - we are starting a whole new planet from scratch, so we may as well allow ourselves to dream a little. Most would agree that Earth is not perfect, and perhaps the society we build on Mars will not be either - but by striving for perfection we can definitely make great improvements.

Vision for Mars

Terraformed, i.e. possible to walk around on without life support. This implies breathable air, comfortable temperatures, and protection from radiation.
Covered in life (that is, carbon-based life) - a global biosphere.
A global life-support framework in which everyone is provided with high quality air, water and food for free.
A robust global communications system that also integrates with those of Earth and Luna.
Plenty of opportunities for fulfilling and enjoyable work.
Abundance of energy, materials and other natural resources.
A comprehensive, sustainable industrial base.
An intelligent system for sustainable population growth and development.
A unified and open political system in which all members of the planetary community are able to participate to whatever degree they wish.
An advanced social environment which encourages love, acceptance, creativity, resourcefulness and self-expression.

A Pathway To Mars

If these are our goals for Mars, let's look at what steps are needed to achieve them, working forwards from our current situation. This should provide a rough path from here to there.

Develop next-generation space vehicles that use levitational/magnetogravitic propulsion systems.
Robotic sample return missions to Mars to provide data on martian soil.
Robotic missions to Luna to test life support and ISRU technologies.
Crewed missions to Luna to test spacesuits, life support systems, vehicles, safety and communications protocols, etc.
Robotic missions to Mars to test life support and ISRU technologies.
Crewed missions to Mars to test spacesuits, life support systems, vehicles, safety and communications protocols, etc.
Make business case for Mars colonisation.
Establish a permanent human presence on Mars.
Develop water production and recycling technologies.
Develop martian agriculture.
Develop processes for producing basic materials on Mars (iron, steel, cement, glass, bricks, plastics).
Develop martian economy and industries, e.g. tourism, property development, exports.
Build global communications infrastructure including links with Earth and Luna.
Complete process of sustainable terraforming.
An advanced society on Mars, as described above.

This is a very basic pathway that does not include many of the things which have already been done, for example, manned missions to Mars analog research stations, manned missions to the Moon or robotic missions to Mars. I have highlighted the two most important milestones. Clearly, the establishment of a permanent human presence on Mars is a critical milestone, and several organisations are already working towards this very goal. Note that these steps could possibly occur in a different order.

This "roadmap" really only looks at the necessary engineering steps towards Mars. What also needs to be considered is the psychological factor, because humans will not colonise Mars until they have a good enough reason to do so. So, what could some of those reasons be?

Reasons to Colonise Mars

Leaving aside the contrived and unrealistic science fiction scenario of the human race escaping a dying Earth to set up new colonies on Mars (Earth's environment would have to decline a very, very long way before Mars became the more hospitable world, especially considering the energy required to transport millions or even hundreds of people to another planet), there are a few reasons why humans would want to colonise Mars:

For the adventure. There is a certain class of humans that enjoys - even craves - the frontier. This is the same type of person that opened up the Americas and Australia, sailed around the world and journeyed to the north and south poles despite extreme difficulties. The frontier offers excitement, lawlessness, a sense that anything can happen, and offers countless opportunities for leadership, resourcefulness, creativity and romance. Some have argued that the lack of a frontier is part of the reason for Earth civilization's current decline.
For the land. As technological industrialization proceeds on Earth, the planet becomes increasingly capable to support a larger population. Nevertheless, property developers and others cannot fail to be excited by the prospect of the massive amount of unowned virgin territory that Mars represents. The surface area of Mars is roughly equal to the land area of Earth, a significant amount of real estate. Once a legal framework for claiming martian land is established, it is possible that a "martian land rush" of large corporations and/or governments will occur, followed by a surge in development.
For the lifestyle. It is very hard to change the way things are done on Earth, because of cultural momentum. Systems that involve many thousands or indeed millions of people cannot change quickly, because too many people are affected, many of whom resist. However, on Mars we have the freedom to develop from scratch entirely new ways of doing things, which should lead to a better quality of life for martians. Many people will come to Mars to experience this lifestyle.
For the sport. Mars has much lower gravity than Earth (0.38g), which opens up a lot of interesting sporting possibilities. For example, basketball players would be able to jump 2.5 times as high. Gymnastics, high-diving and related sports on Mars would be much more spectacular than on Earth. Rock climbing would be much easier, and Mars offers many glorious locations for this.
For the science. While there will never be an end to scientific questions here on Earth, many scientists, especially younger ones, will see Mars as an exciting opportunity for all kinds of new discoveries about astrobiology, planetary science, geology, astronomy, materials science and many other areas. It is likely that scientists will represent a higher-than-average percentage of martians right from the beginning.
For the engineering. Similarly, Mars poses its own unique set of engineering challenges, and there will surely be many engineers that will want to travel to Mars to solve new and interesting problems in all branches of engineering, especially structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, mining, chemical, aerospace and mechatronics.
For work and business. As martian society expands, countless jobs and business opportunities will become available in all sectors of society, including every kind of trade, primary industry, food industry, hotels, product development and manufacture, retail and wholesale business, etc. While "big business" may have certain markets sewn up tight on Earth, many new opportunities will become available on Mars for small businesses to start up and expand.