As SpaceX’s Starship achieves successful test flights late last year and NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers uncover vital resources like water ice throughout the year, the dream of making Mars habitable is no longer science fiction. However, as debates about Earth’s pressing challenges and the costs of space exploration grow, the question arises: Should we embark on this journey? Mars colonisation is an inspiring step forward, one that has the potential to benefit humanity in countless ways. Here’s why.

Mars has fascinated humanity since 1877, when Giovanni Schiaparelli’s telescope revealed “channels” on its surface, which sparked speculation about water and life. This intrigue deepened when NASA’s Mariner 4 mission took the first close-up images of Mars in 1965, revealing Mars’ similarity to Earth. Following the success of the Apollo program and humanity’s triumph in landing on the Moon, Mars became the next great frontier, a dream championed by visionaries like Wernher von Braun. In a interview with Collier’s Weekly, he outlined a bold plan for advanced rockets and surface operations, predicting a Mars landing “within a century” – a vision now within reach.

The journey to Mars represents more than just a physical voyage across 140 million miles of space; Mars exploration also offers unprecedented opportunities for scientific discovery, international collaboration, and economic growth. The colonisation of Mars feeds mankind’s love and need for exploration, much like the Space Race of the ‘60s. You can ask any of your parents and they’ll tell you just how exciting this time of their lives was for them. Studies have correlated these missions with a spike in higher education levels in the United States, demonstrating the program’s capacity to inspire and educate. Similarly, Mars exploration has the potential to catalyse a broader cultural and educational movement. As Stephen Hawking argued, “to confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.” Therefore, as we pursue Mars, we are not just exploring new territories but also inspiring billions worldwide. This is the fire we want to keep alive through the grand adventure of Mars colonisation.

Moreover, Mars colonisation can cultivate international collaboration, setting aside geopolitical tensions for shared scientific goals and mutual benefits. Historically, space exploration has provided a platform for countries to collaborate, achieving common objectives. During the Cold War, tensions ran high between the USA and the USSR. However, space exploration emerged as an unexpected arena for collaboration, peaking with the Apollo-Soyuz Project in 1975. The joint mission is famously remembered for the “handshake in space,” a symbolic yet significant diplomatic act showing the potential for peaceful collaboration amidst global conflict. If this doesn’t show that collaborative space missions can build trust between nations, then what will? In today’s divisive political climate, wouldn’t we all want something that fosters international harmony?

However, critics argue that the multi-trillion-dollar cost of Mars colonization diverts resources from urgent global challenges like climate change and hunger. Nonetheless, history shows that space exploration drives innovations that create new industries, generate economic growth, and provide solutions to some of our biggest problems. Yes, billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos dominate the conversation, raising valid concerns about unchecked influence. But this is precisely why governments and global institutions must step in to establish strong governance and sustainable policies. By doing so, we can ensure that Mars exploration is not just a private venture but a shared mission that fuels technological progress, inspires collaboration, and ultimately benefits humanity. Far from competing with Earth’s needs, the journey to Mars can be a powerful tool to solve them.

NASA’s budget is often mistaken as a significant portion of U.S. federal spending, but it actually accounts for  0.5% of the total budget.Yet, every dollar invested generates approximately four dollars in economic returns, supporting highly skilled jobs, technological advancements, and business opportunities. Technologies developed for Martian agriculture are being adapted to enhance food production in Earth’s harshest climates, aiding our global battle against food scarcity. As Robert Zubrin, author of A Case for Mars and the Mars Society, stated, “The resources we devote to space exploration are not lost; they come back to us as new industries and technologies.” Thus, as we fund Mars colonisation, we are not only generating revenue but also catalysing innovations that improve lives on Earth.

As we stand on the precipice of this new era, it is crucial to recognise the potential of Mars as the next frontier and actively engage in its pursuit. Perhaps it is time to face the facts, and confront the future, as Elon Musk famously proffered: “We must [become] a spacefaring civilisation.” This is our imperative: to commit to Mars. If scientists could replicate habitable conditions on Mars, should we move there? Yes, we should.