Buzz
Two decades ago, if anyone had proposed the idea of colonizing Mars, they would have been dismissed as dreamers. Even today, there are many who remain skeptical about humanity's potential to inhabit another planet or moon. Elon Musk aims to not only make this vision a reality but also prove that such a migration could be crucial for the survival of the human race.
In the event of a global conflict like World War III, Earth and its inhabitants could face annihilation. Mars is envisioned as a potential sanctuary for humanity if Earth becomes uninhabitable. Elon Musk, the self-made billionaire and SpaceX CEO, has already set the wheels in motion for this groundbreaking mission and continues to share progress with the world. Here are ten key facts we know about Musk's future Martian colony.
10. Mars Mission Unveiled in 2016
In September 2016, Elon Musk first shared his vision of establishing a human colony on Mars. His ambition was to transform humanity into an “interplanetary species” and colonize the Red Planet. At the time, the biggest challenge was securing the funds necessary to turn his dream into reality. Just a year later, Musk returned with a refined version of his plan. During a presentation at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, he unveiled his updated vision alongside the BFR, his new space transportation system.
While the core elements of the original plan remained largely unchanged (with only a few dates pushed back and the rocket's size reduced), Musk addressed one of the key issues: how to finance the colonization of another planet. True to his entrepreneurial spirit, he developed a business strategy that would turn his space vehicle into an investment tool, with SpaceX using it for future partnerships.
9. The BFR Rocket System
The BFR is an upgraded rocket design intended to eventually replace the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon systems. This transition is vital for making the missions more affordable. The BFR will solve a number of issues while continuing to support missions to Earth, the Moon, and Mars. It will be equipped with a heat shield to protect it as it enters Mars' scorching atmosphere at 7.5 kilometers per second. Although wear and tear is expected over time, the BFR is capable of completing multiple flights.
The BFR’s reusability ensures it’s more cost-effective compared to other rockets and space vehicles. Its size allows it to carry up to 100 passengers. The BFR will also be utilized to launch satellites, deploy space telescopes, clear space debris, and transport cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). In the future, we may even see it used for global flights, replacing commercial airlines. By reducing the need for other rockets and planes, the BFR aims to generate significant revenue.
8. The First Mars Mission Set for 2022
SpaceX has revealed plans to launch its first uncrewed cargo mission to Mars in 2022. The primary objectives will be to confirm the availability of water resources and assess potential risks to future colonization efforts. During this mission, SpaceX will also establish the foundation for power generation, mining operations, and life support infrastructure. This mission is pivotal, and should it succeed, it will mark a historic milestone for humanity.
To stay on schedule, SpaceX plans to build the spacecraft in 2018, with test orbits scheduled for 2019. These preliminary missions are essential for ensuring the rockets are capable of launching as intended. Once these test flights are completed and the BFRs demonstrate their readiness to carry human life, the next Mars mission will be the one that will forever alter the course of the human race. It will be the step that elevates us to the interplanetary species Musk envisions.
7. 2024 Marks the Next Mars Mission
The success of the first mission will mark a historic leap for humanity toward Mars. In 2024, SpaceX plans to send piloted BFRs, carrying both cargo and the first settlers to the Red Planet. While the journey will span several months, the BFR will offer ample space for passengers, with enough room for 100 people, 40 cabins, spacious common areas, and entertainment options for everyone.
While the exact number of people on the first flight hasn’t been finalized, it’s anticipated that only astronauts will embark on this mission. Once they arrive, the first settlers will set up a propellant depot, essentially a refueling station for future space missions, and prepare for the arrival of additional crews. This initial fuel plant and the spacecraft used for the first missions will form the foundation of the first Mars base. From there, the goal is to create a self-sustaining civilization on a planet that is currently inhospitable to humans.
6. Elon Musk Has a Plan to Make Mars Habitable for Humans
Currently, the Red Planet is inhospitable to human life. We cannot breathe the atmosphere, the soil contains toxic substances, and water is locked away in ice beneath the surface. Musk has proposed a plan to transform Mars into an Earth-like planet capable of sustaining human life. By terraforming the planet, Mars could one day support human civilization. The challenge, however, is how we would go about changing an entire planet to resemble Earth.
Musk suggested the idea of using nuclear bombs to heat the poles and release the water trapped beneath the surface. However, this approach has been criticized as deeply flawed and potentially catastrophic for any life-forms that may already exist on Mars. Although Musk has not confirmed that this is his intended course of action, SpaceX has stated that once landing pads are established, they will begin constructing a city-like environment on Mars. These landing pads will also facilitate future BFR missions to a lunar base and beyond.
5. A Lunar Outpost Will Be Established
On December 11, 2017, President Trump issued a directive for NASA to refocus on the Moon. This new mission will see American astronauts return to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. The objective of this mission is to lay the groundwork for future explorations of Mars and other destinations in the solar system.
Upon hearing the news, Musk remarked, 'We should have a lunar base by now.' This wasn’t the first time the SpaceX CEO had shared his thoughts on establishing a human presence on the Moon. During the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, in September 2017, Musk addressed the possibility of a lunar base and explained how the BFR could easily land on the Moon to transport cargo or passengers.
4. The Cost of Colonizing Mars Will Be Enormous
Becoming an interplanetary species will come with a hefty price tag for SpaceX and future settlers. Musk estimated the cost of developing the BFR at around $10 billion. SpaceX has managed the development costs in the low millions annually, but eventually, they will need to secure a public-private partnership. Such a partnership could help fund the process of colonizing and terraforming another planet to accommodate one million residents by 2060.
In order to create a self-sustaining civilization on Mars, around 10,000 flights will be necessary for the BFRs, not including those carrying equipment and supplies. While the first tickets will be 'quite costly,' over time, ticket prices could drop to anywhere between $100,000 to $200,000. If you’re eager to join the Mars colony, it’s a good idea to start saving up now.
3. The Possible Health Hazards of Human Life on Mars
Mars, as we know it today, is inhospitable to human life. Those who choose to journey there will face the risks of exposure to space radiation, muscle deterioration, and a weakened immune system. While traveling through space toward Mars, astronauts will be subjected to radiation that could lead to cancer or eye damage. In the microgravity environment of space, muscles weaken due to the lack of gravitational resistance, and once on Mars, with only a third of Earth’s gravity, muscles will continue to degrade.
But it’s not just the body’s muscles that will be affected. The immune system also changes during space travel, making it harder for the body to fight off illnesses. Without medical facilities or the ability to perform CPR in zero gravity, even something as simple as the flu could become life-threatening.
Human presence on Mars also poses potential risks for the planet itself. Establishing a colony or even visiting may contaminate the Martian environment, potentially eradicating any existing life forms. These concerns must be addressed before we can proceed with transforming Mars into a habitable place for humans.
2. What Else Can We Expect in the Future
The lunar outpost and Mars colonization are just the beginning of what lies ahead. The very same rocket designed to carry passengers to distant planets and moons will also be capable of transporting people across the Earth in under an hour. The BFR will launch travelers into space, where the lack of friction, weather, and turbulence will significantly reduce travel time, allowing for example, a flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo in just 32 minutes.
Imagine the possibility of traveling anywhere on Earth in less than an hour. Once NASA completes the lunar base, we will be able to explore further than we ever dreamed. Building on Musk's vision of an interplanetary future, the BFR will carry people to the Moon, Mars, and potentially beyond. As we await these long-distance travel opportunities, we can watch Elon Musk and SpaceX as they develop and test the vehicle that will make them possible.
1. The Journey Has Already Begun
Although we’re still in the early phases of Mars colonization, we’ve already witnessed some remarkable events. One of the most stunning was when Elon Musk launched his personal car into space. In February 2018, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket sent the Tesla, complete with cameras, toward Mars's orbit. However, it missed and is now caught in orbit around the Sun, waiting for a future retrieval mission.
This may serve as a valuable lesson for SpaceX as they analyze data for future test flights of the BFR. Musk shared at the SXSW festival in March 2018 that they have already started constructing the first interplanetary rocket. The aim is to have a BFR prototype ready for short flights within the first few months of 2019.
