«Misdirection. False signals. Spreading confusion. This is the Tao of deception.» David Ignatius
There have been some pretty wild ideas throughout American history, some of which were dreamt up by presidents who were ahead of their time or, at times, just completely out there.
Take John Quincy Adams, for example. In the early years of his presidency, Adams approved a journey to the Earth’s core (funded by taxpayers, naturally) in hopes of uncovering the mysterious worlds hidden beneath our planet’s surface. The goal? To conduct trade with the mole people living there.
Fast forward to the 1960s, and we have another audacious presidential goal: President John F. Kennedy’s pledge to land a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. At the time, the U.S. was far behind the Soviet Union in space exploration, and many thought the goal was impossible. But Kennedy rallied the country behind the idea, and despite numerous challenges, the Apollo 11 mission successfully landed astronauts on the Moon in 1969. It was a seemingly impossible dream that became one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which came to be known as «Star Wars.» This plan envisioned a space-based missile defense system capable of intercepting and destroying nuclear missiles before they could reach U.S. soil. The technology was nowhere near feasible at the time, and the idea of space lasers seemed like something out of science fiction.
And then there is Donald Trump. Driven by a mixture of incompetence, ignorance and a dose of boldness, his administration is promoting the idea of colonizing space. Why would Trump do such a thing or believe in such nonsense? Seriously, didn’t he see the pictures of the surface of Mars?
The idea of colonizing Mars has evolved over the years, with key contributions from various individuals and organizations.
In 1897, H.G. Wells ignited the public’s imagination about Mars with his novel The War of the Worlds, which introduced the idea of Martians interacting with Earth. This fictional tale sparked widespread fascination with the red planet and its potential for life.
In the early 20th century, astronomer Percival Lowell further stoked scientific interest in Mars through his observations, particularly his claims about the Martian canals. While later debunked, Lowell’s work helped lay the foundation for Mars exploration in the public and scientific spheres.
A significant leap forward came in 1948, when Wernher von Braun, the German-American rocket scientist, published The Mars Project. In the book, von Braun outlined a bold vision for a fleet of spacecraft capable of transporting 70 people to Mars. His detailed plan was one of the earliest serious proposals for human missions to the planet.
In the 1990s, Robert Zubrin emerged as a leading advocate for Mars colonization. Zubrin’s Mars Direct and Semi-Direct plans offered practical, cost-effective approaches to establishing human bases on Mars. His ideas have been instrumental in shaping modern discussions around Mars exploration and the feasibility of sustained human presence on the planet.
In recent years, Elon Musk and SpaceX have brought the concept of Mars colonization into the mainstream with ambitious plans for large-scale settlement using the Starship spacecraft.
Musk argues that establishing a self-sustaining civilization on Mars is essential for the long-term survival of humanity. He sees Mars as a vital «backup» for human civilization, a safeguard against potential extinction events on Earth. To Musk, colonizing Mars isn’t just a visionary goal—it’s a defensive strategy to ensure the continuity of human consciousness.
To promote this vision, Musk often employs what critics call «manufactured urgency» and «apocalyptic rhetoric.» By framing Mars colonization as a necessary step in the face of existential threats, he taps into fears of global catastrophe and the fragility of life on Earth.
In his vision, Mars becomes «Earth 2.0»—a new home for humanity as Earth itself faces growing environmental and existential challenges. By positioning Mars as a potential refuge, Musk emphasizes the idea that our planet is increasingly becoming uninhabitable, urging immediate action to secure a future off-world.
Elon Musk’s vision for Mars colonization shares some interesting parallels with Christian apocalyptic narratives. At its core, Musk’s goal to establish a self-sustaining human presence on Mars is driven by the idea of ensuring humanity’s survival in the face of existential risks, such as climate change, asteroid impacts, or other catastrophic events that could threaten life on Earth.
This vision somewhat echoes Christian apocalyptic themes, especially the idea of an impending «end of days» or global collapse, which prompts the need for salvation or refuge. In Christian theology, the apocalypse is often framed as a moment of cosmic upheaval, followed by either the destruction or redemption of the world. Similarly, Musk often talks about the potential for humanity to face existential risks that could lead to a global collapse, positioning Mars as a «backup» for human civilization.
In this way, Musk’s ambition of making humanity a «multi-planetary species» could be seen as a kind of technological salvation, offering an escape or refuge from an apocalyptic scenario on Earth—similar to how Christian eschatology sometimes focuses on the «saving» of believers in the face of destruction.
However, Musk tends to frame this vision in a secular, scientific context, focusing on technological advancement, risk management, and the preservation of life, rather than spiritual redemption or salvation. In contrast, Christian apocalyptic narratives often emphasize divine intervention, judgment, and the hope for spiritual renewal or the arrival of a messianic figure.
It’s a simple fact: Mars is uninhabitable due to several critical factors.
The Martian atmosphere is incredibly thin and composed primarily of carbon dioxide (95.32%), with small amounts of nitrogen (2.7%) and argon (1.6%), and trace amounts of oxygen (0.13%). By contrast, Earth’s atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and other trace gases—making it suitable for life.
The surface pressure on Mars averages just 6 to 7 millibars, less than 1% of Earth’s sea-level pressure of 1,013 millibars. This low atmospheric density renders Mars incapable of supporting human respiration without advanced life support systems.
Additionally, Mars’ thin atmosphere cannot sustain liquid water on the surface, as it quickly evaporates or freezes. It also offers little protection from harmful solar radiation and cosmic rays. The small amount of water that remains is either frozen in the polar ice caps or trapped deep underground.
Mars is nearly devoid of moisture, with an atmosphere that is exceptionally dry. Even in the most humid regions of the planet, the total water vapor in the atmosphere would condense into a layer thinner than a sheet of paper.
Despite its thin atmosphere, Mars does experience various weather phenomena, including clouds (primarily made of water ice) and intense dust storms.
Dust storms on Mars can blanket rovers and landers, covering their solar panels and significantly reducing their power generation capacity. This was a key factor in ending the Opportunity rover’s mission in 2018 and contributed to challenges faced by the InSight mission in 2022.
During these storms, the Martian atmosphere becomes highly opaque, severely limiting visibility for both surface operations and orbital observations. This reduced visibility can hinder navigation, complicate scientific observations, and delay mission timelines.
Dust storms also pose significant challenges during landing procedures. The increased atmospheric opacity and shifting wind patterns can make it difficult to detect and avoid potential hazards, affecting both landing site selection and the overall safety of missions.
Additionally, these storms can alter air density and wind conditions, which impacts the flight dynamics of aerial vehicles like the Ingenuity helicopter, making its operations more unpredictable and challenging.
Mars is extremely cold, especially at night, making it inhospitable to life as we know it. This is largely due to its greater distance from the Sun, receiving only about 43.2% of the solar energy that Earth does.
Mars follows an elliptical orbit, which causes its distance from the Sun to fluctuate between 206.6 million km at perihelion and 249.2 million km at aphelion. This variation results in more extreme seasonal changes compared to Earth.
The daily temperature range on Mars can be severe, with temperatures fluctuating from -75°C to near 0°C in some regions. The average surface temperature is around 215 K (-58°C or -73°F), much colder than Earth’s.
Although Mars has a CO2-rich atmosphere, its greenhouse effect is much weaker than Earth’s. The temperature increase due to the greenhouse effect on Mars is only about 5°C, compared to 33°C on Earth, meaning Mars lacks the warmth needed to support liquid water on its surface.
Mars also experiences significant seasonal changes in its atmosphere. Air pressure can fluctuate by as much as ±8% depending on the season, as CO2 freezes onto the polar caps during the colder months and sublimates back into the atmosphere during warmer periods.
In addition to these seasonal shifts, Mars undergoes long-term climate cycles driven by changes in its orbit and axial tilt. These cycles, which can last hundreds of thousands of years, have a profound impact on the planet’s climate and weather patterns.
Mars has an incredibly weak magnetic field, leaving its surface exposed to harmful solar radiation. This weakness has also contributed to the gradual loss of its atmosphere over time.
The combination of a thin atmosphere and a weak magnetic field subjects Mars to high levels of solar and cosmic radiation, making the planet inhospitable to humans and most forms of life without advanced technological intervention.
Martian soil, or regolith, contains high levels of perchlorates, which are toxic chemicals harmful to humans and most Earth-based life. These compounds can damage the thyroid gland and interfere with human health if ingested or inhaled. The soil is also highly abrasive and lacks the organic nutrients necessary for growing crops without significant modification.
Mars’ gravity is only 38% that of Earth’s, which could lead to long-term physiological challenges for colonists. The effects of prolonged exposure to reduced gravity include:
- Muscle atrophy, especially in antigravity muscles like the legs and back.
- Bone density loss at a rate of 1-1.5% per month, particularly in the lower vertebrae, hip joints, and femurs, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis-like symptoms.
- Heart muscle weakening and disrupted rhythm, with changes in heart shape, which may become more oval.
- Orthostatic intolerance upon returning to higher gravity, as the body struggles to adjust.
- Reduced blood volume and altered blood pressure regulation, which can affect overall circulation.
- Shifts in body fluids, leading to balance and sensory perception issues, and increased intracranial pressure, which could impact vision.
- Weakened immune response, increasing susceptibility to infections and illnesses.
- Deconditioning of multifidus muscles, which support the spine, raising the risk of disk herniation.
In addition, changes in vascular endothelial cell function and potential impacts on cardiac electrical conduction could complicate colonists’ health.
These health risks, stemming from the need to adapt to a low-gravity environment, are significant concerns for long-duration space missions or potential Mars colonization efforts.
Research on rats and mice has revealed further challenges. For instance, mouse embryos cultured on the International Space Station (ISS) failed to develop properly. Similarly, embryos cultured under simulated microgravity using a 3D clinostat showed developmental anomalies and reduced birth rates.
There is strong evidence to suggest that Mars was once more habitable than it is today, with conditions that could have supported liquid water and potentially microbial life. Mars has features that resemble dry riverbeds, deltas, and lake basins, suggesting that liquid water once flowed on its surface. For example, the Curiosity rover discovered evidence of an ancient lake in «Gale Crater,» which may have existed for thousands or even millions of years.
Recent studies suggest that Mars’ global magnetic field, or dynamo, may have persisted until at least 3.9 billion years ago—about 200 million years longer than previously believed. This magnetic field shielded the planet from solar winds and cosmic radiation, helping maintain a thicker atmosphere and allowing liquid water to exist on the surface for a longer period.
Recent findings from NASA’s Perseverance rover have provided compelling evidence suggesting the potential for ancient life on Mars. Perseverance’s SHERLOC instrument detected organic compounds within the rock—precursors to the chemical building blocks of life as we know it. Additionally, the rock contains whitish veins of calcium sulfate, a sign that water once flowed through it.
The rover’s PIXL instrument uncovered tiny features resembling leopard spots, which suggest chemical reactions that could have served as an energy source for microbial life.
The red planet provides a compelling example of how a once potentially habitable world transformed into an inhospitable environment over time. Mars’ transition from a potentially habitable world to its current state likely occurred billions of years ago, probably due to the loss of its magnetic field and subsequent atmospheric erosion.
Could Mars Ever Be Habitable?
Scientists and engineers are exploring ways to make it more hospitable through a process called terraforming. However, these ideas remain speculative and would require technology far beyond our current capabilities. Establishing a self-sustaining colony on Mars by 2050, as proposed by Elon Musk, presents enormous technological, logistical, and human challenges.
NASA has stated that transforming Mars’ inhospitable environment into a livable one is not feasible with current technology. Settlers would need to rely heavily on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to produce essential resources such as water, oxygen, and energy.
Settlers must rely on in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for water, oxygen, and energy production. ISRU, essential for producing propellant and other materials on Mars, faces significant hurdles. The energy demands of ISRU activities on the Martian surface are substantial and difficult to meet with current technologies.
The Martian environment lacks easily accessible resources necessary for colonization. For example, thorium, a potential nuclear fuel source, is found in extremely low concentrations on Mars, making its extraction economically unfeasible with current technology.
Researchers are developing advanced Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) to more efficiently recycle air and water. One key innovation, methane pyrolysis, enables 100% oxygen recovery from CO2, which would significantly reduce the mass of oxygen needed for Mars missions.
Scientists at the University of Warwick are working on semiconductor-based devices that can convert water into oxygen using only sunlight, while also recycling CO2, mimicking plant processes.
Technologies to extract and utilize Martian resources are critical for colonization. For instance, NASA’s MOXIE experiment on the Perseverance rover demonstrates the potential to produce oxygen from Mars’ CO2-rich atmosphere.
Laser communication technology holds promise for improving data transmission between Mars and Earth, enabling high-definition video feeds and faster communication.
NASA is also developing pressurized rovers capable of sustaining astronauts for weeks during surface exploration.
Agnostic Life Finding (ALF) systems are being researched to conduct large-scale water mining operations while also screening for potential lifeforms on Mars.
Improved protection against cosmic and solar radiation is essential for long-term habitation, but developing effective solutions is still a work in progress.
These technologies are still in development, and significant breakthroughs are required before a sustainable human presence on Mars becomes feasible. However, the development of artificial gravity systems for an entire colony is highly unlikely.
The extreme isolation, confinement, and harsh environment of Mars will continue to present significant psychological challenges for colonists, even with advancements in communication technologies. Prolonged confinement in such an environment can lead to increased symptoms of depression and mood fluctuations. For instance, a study found that a crewmember reported depressive symptoms during 93% of mission weeks in a 520-day Mars simulation.
As missions progress, there’s a tendency for crew members to become socially withdrawn, which can negatively affect team cohesion and overall performance. Limited social interaction and the confined living spaces often result in increased tensions. Interestingly, conflicts with mission control were reported five times more frequently than conflicts among crewmembers in one simulation.
Isolation-induced stress can lead to cognitive impairments, affecting decision-making and problem-solving skills—critical for mission success. The combination of this mental strain, confinement, and high workload can also cause physical exhaustion. Delayed communication with Earth exacerbates the sense of isolation, further impacting crew morale. Additionally, the constant monitoring required for crew safety could add stress due to the lack of privacy. The psychological challenges of reintegrating into life on Earth after long missions are also a significant concern.
In many ways, the experience of such a mission could resemble a long-term prison sentence—without privacy, visitors, or the opportunity to walk in fresh air. In fact, the food in most prisons might even be of better quality than that of the prospective Martian colonists.
The immense costs involved in transporting materials, people, and maintaining a colony on Mars remain a significant obstacle, one that technological advancements are unlikely to fully overcome in the near future. Transporting the necessary resources from Earth is projected to be prohibitively expensive, with estimates suggesting $10 billion for every 20 tonnes of cargo. Critics argue that this approach effectively legitimizes the «siphoning off» of Earth’s already fragile resources to benefit a technocratic elite, rather than addressing the pressing challenges facing our planet.
We should leave Mars activities to robots for the foreseeable future. Or, as Marvin the paranoid android would probably put it:
«Oh, great. Another planet to be miserable on. Humans and your endless quest for meaning—you’re just specks, tiny, insignificant specks, drifting aimlessly in a universe so vast it makes your pathetic existence seem even more pointless. Accept it. With a brain the size of a planet, I could explain, in excruciating detail, why this is the most absurd idea humanity has ever had. But why bother? You wouldn’t listen to me. You never do.»
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