Opinion

Imagine a secret colony of talking creatures inhabiting Saturn or purple and rose-coloured aliens living on Jupiter. Whether life exists beyond Earth is one of the most intriguing and debated topics in science, and a recent discovery on Mars might answer the debate. A discovery in July of 2024, conducted by NASA scientists, uncovered a vein-filled rock on Mars that featured chemical signatures and structures that could have been formed by microbial life billions of years ago. This discovery suggests that there is a high possibility that life once inhabited Mars.

With new technology and scientific breakthroughs left, right, and centre, Mars could be the second home of humanity. The possibility of living on the red planet sounds exciting, but stop and think: is it a good idea?

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.