Haven't signed into your Scholastic account before? Why did Marco Polo head east? However, getting humans to Mars and keeping them safe will require advances in technology. Face it, we're all screwed as a species on Earth if we continue to change our climate like we're doing now. We’ll send you updates on digital features and tips here throughout the year. But thanks to major scientific advance­ments, reaching—and surviving on—the Red Planet could become  a reality in our life­time. Titan has many other Earth-like qualities that could help us learn more about our home planet. This mission could help resource utilization through advances gained with its Mars Oxygen Experiment (MOXIE) equipment that converts Martian carbon dioxide into oxygen. Space exploration required the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to learn how to communicate across wide distances, develop precise navigational tools, store, transmit, and process large amounts of data, deal with health issues through digital imaging and telemedicine, and develop collaborative tools that link scientists around the world. As argued by scientist McKay, discovering evidence of ancient microbial life on Mars would lead experts to conclude that life likely is ubiquitous around the universe and not limited to Planet Earth. Ok we're onto the second reason why we should not go to Mars. Mars is a valuable place for exploration because it can be reached in 6 ½ months, is a major opportunity for scientific exploration, and has been mapped and studied for several decades. Aside from technical and financial issues, there remains the political question of why we should send humans to Mars at all. For much of our existence, humans have assumed that even primitive life was unique to Planet Earth and not present in the rest of the solar system, let alone the universe. After we build the moon base, you believe we should use what we learned and send humans to Mars’ moon, Phobos, to build a base on Mars. Humanity Would Be Better off Saving Earth, Rather Than Colonizing Mars. NO. Though robotic spacecraft can do a lot, they lack the critical firsthand experience that can only be captured by humans. If, as many scientists expect, future space missions cast doubt on that assumption or outright disprove it by finding remnants of microbial life on other planets, it will be both invigorating and illusion-shattering. Why should humans go to Mars? The Curiosity rover, which is currently exploring Mars, can only travel about the length of a football field in one day. Ten or twenty years from now, we may have answers to basic questions that have eluded humans for centuries, such as how ubiquitous life is outside of Earth, whether it is possible for humans to survive on other planets, and how planets evolve over time. GCRs are energetic particles that come into our solar system from faraway exploding stars. It took three days for the Apollo missions to get to the moon. We’re gonna colonize Mars. Isn't our planet beautiful enough? Although robots have been extremely helpful in studying Mars, people will be even better. The Red Planet is a cold, dead place, with an atmosphere about 100 times thinner than Earth’s. And while scientists are already studying Mars with rovers and other remote devices, nothing beats direct human experience when it comes to analyzing new information. The findings have inspired scientists to continue asking important questions, such as: Did life once exist on Mars? Check back soon for more announcements and tutorials. While dust storms can pose severe habitability threats to humans on the surface, the interior of a lava tube should be sufficiently shielded from this threat. The only way we can save humans is to move, and the only place we can move to is Mars. Many spacecraft have died trying to get to Mars. However, getting humans to Mars and keeping them safe will require advances in technology. It will show them that the Earth has a delicate ecosystem that deserves protecting and why it is important for people of differing countries to work together to solve global problems. A report concluded that NASA has no chance of sending humans to Mars by 2033, with the earliest such a mission could be flown being the late 2030s. No, Theology and No, Theology and Science, 17:3, 341-346, DOI: 10.1080/14746700.2019.1632524 When asked in 2013 whether we should go to Mars, he answered: It is important to explore Mars, and humans play a valuable role in that research. Two scientists weigh in. That’s why NASA is looking for ways to utilize the Martian soil, water, and other resources. Other people, however, point out that making the long journey through space could threaten the astronauts’ health. Does it exist there today? Face it, we're all screwed as a species on Earth if we continue to change our climate like we're doing now. A report concluded that NASA has no chance of sending humans to Mars by 2033, with the earliest such a mission could be flown being the late 2030s. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! We Should Really Go to Mars. “Right here in our solar system, if life started twice, that tells us some amazing things about our universe,” he pointed out. In short, colonizing Mars would pose daunting challenges. Will you be one of the astronauts to explore Mars? Many reasons for and against have been cited over the years, and many still struggle to see the relevance of this priority. However, sending people to Mars for long periods of time would be extremely unsafe, and we shouldn’t do it. We’ve got some awesome news for you. Imagine living on another planet, millions of miles from the Earth; looking up into the sky with the knowledge that one of the 'stars' is actually the planet you were born on. NASA will … And a poor use of a great deal of money. Similar to Earth, Mars is tilted 25 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun, which gives it Earth-like seasons. The possibility of sending humans to Mars has gained attention in recent years because members of the tech-industry have advocated for these plans. TM ® & © 2019 Scholastic Inc. All Rights Reserved. NASA has detailed many of the spi… Going to Mars requires similar inventiveness. Figuring out how weightlessness and low gravity situations alter human performance and how space radiation affects people represent just a couple areas where there are likely to be positive by-products for future travel. The space program has pioneered the miniaturization of scientific equipment and helped engineers figure out how to land and maneuver a rover from millions of miles away. To their enthusiasts, giant space colonies and human habitats on Mars offer not only sites to develop a better society but also places where we may modify humans themselves, partly … But while most experts agree that we’ll one day be able to send humans to Mars, not all of them think we should. For a substantial fee, they can experience weightlessness, take in the views of the entire planet, see the stars from outside the Earth’s atmosphere, and witness the wonders of other celestial bodies. Elon Musk has been known to reiterate the importance … The first humans on Mars would need to farm and establish a food source. In addition, humans will be able to move around the planet much faster than a robot can. A human mission to Mars has been the subject of science fiction, aerospace engineering and scientific proposals since the 20th century. The first is the realization of an amazing dream! Humans would have to construct new theories about ourselves and our place in the universe. Mars is typically a lot colder than humans — and the foods we eat — prefer for optimal growth and comfort, so one of the first things we should look for is a relatively warm site. Access this article and hundreds more like it with a subscription to Junior Scholastic magazine. To top it off, because of the low gravity and thick atmosphere, humans on Titan could fly—just by jumping up and flapping their arms. The U.S. space program has been an extraordinary catalyst for technology innovation. Humanity should focus its attention on more distant regions of the solar system (Ćirković & Vukotić, 2016; Napier, Asher, Bailey, & Steel, 2015). We have constructed elaborate religious and philosophical narratives around this assumption and built our identity along the notion that life is unique to Earth. The financial cost of sending humans to Mars would almost surely be measured in billions of dollars. Write a one-page argument essay explaining your answer, using facts from this article as supporting evidence. Plans include landing on Mars for exploration at a minimum, with the possibility of sending settlers and terraforming the planet or exploring its moons Phobos and Deimos also considered. In particular, space radiation, especially galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), is dangerous. A new study reveals the answer—and it could be decisive for the future of humanity. Supporters of sending humans to Mars say learning more about it could help us understand our own planet. That would be my preference. In the future, we should expect large payoffs in commercial developments from Mars exploration and advances that bring new conveniences and inventions to people. Sorry! A human presence on Mars will inevitably change the environment. The InSight mission hopes to improve the odds. The only way we can save humans is to move, and the only place we can move to is Mars. When you go to Mars, you need to have made the decision that you’re there permanently.” Aldrin is one of many who compares the first explorers on Mars to the European pioneers in North America, but he and others omit the pioneer’s tendency to plunder frontiers to destruction. NASA, the U.S. space agency, and several private companies are already developing the technology to make such a trip possible. Though robotic spacecraft can do a lot, they lack the critical firsthand experience that can only be captured by humans. Risk of asteroid impact is higher on Mars than on Earth. Many aspects of our modern lives would not be possible if it were not for our interest in space. When asked in 2013 whether we should go to Mars , he answered: You have reached the vote limit of 500 votes. expected arrival at the Red Planet in mid-February. Check out The Great Courses Plus: http://ow.ly/BHuT301cR6ZWould you take a trip to Mars knowing the risks? Sorry, please make sure that the total number of votes is between 1-40. Senior Scientist, Planetary Science Institute and author of Beyond Earth: Our Path to a New Home in the Planets. A round-trip to Mars takes about 18 months, and there isn’t enough room on current spacecraft to carry all the food, water, and other items humans would need to survive. Why should we go to Mars? Like, really far away. It’s just a matter of time. On the other hand, we shouldn’t use this as an excuse to pollute the Earth, or let global warming run amok. Write About It! NASA has been sending robots to study and collect information about the Red Planet since 1965. First of all, it’s not as if we’re sending humans out to space without preparation or planning; … The facts are there, and Earth is getting much hotter, much quicker. This paper suggests that it is hard to find any strong rationale for human mission to Mars, which … Beyond the study of life itself, there are a number of different benefits of Mars exploration. A human mission to Mars once seemed the stuff of science fiction. Humans can move faster than robots, and make quicker decisions. To cite this article: Linda Billings (2019) Should Humans Colonize Mars? We Should Go to Mars By Robert Zubrin. Masses of New Information Some astronomers say that a trip to Mars is the gateway to traveling to the rest of our universe If there was life anywhere else in our solar system, it would be on Mars We can learn all about new ecosystems and other environmental factors that may come Voting has ended. “I think it makes sense to go to Mars with humans to test technologies and to do scientific experiments — a short term visit or visits,” she told Futurism. The mission plans to investigate whether microbial life existed on Mars billions of years ago and therefore that life is not unique to Planet Earth. Its expected arrival at the Red Planet in mid-February 2021 has a number of objectives linked to science and innovation. Humans to Mars is Affordable and Achievable: Recent workshops and studies have also shown that missions to Mars are both achievable and affordable. NASA is developing the capabilities needed to send humans to an asteroid by 2025 and Mars in the 2030s goals outlined in the bipartisan NASA Authorization Act of 2010 and in the U.S. National Space Policy, also issued in 2010. Not only is Mars very far away, it also lacks breathable air, usable water, and protection from the sun. So could spending time on Mars, which lacks water and breathable air. Why should humans go to Mars? But it is also beyond social, political, financial and mental scope of humanity. A human mission to Mars once seemed the stuff of science fiction. But thanks to major advancements, reaching—and surviving on—the Red Planet could become a reality in our life-time. 18 months of only a thin sheet of metal between you and the vacuum. Could humans eventually live on Mars? It seems so far out, so detached from life on Earth, and in many ways it is. We rely on satellites for communication, timing and positioning. However, sending people to Mars for long periods of time would be extremely unsafe, and we shouldn’t do it. Check out Junior Scholastic At Home for our favorite stories and tools to kick off your year. Apart from looking for life, why bother with a mission to send humans to Mars? For instance, Titan has lakes and seas. The question of the origins of life and its ubiquity around the universe is central to science, religion, and philosophy. What an astronaut’s living quarters might look like on Mars. Plans include landing on Mars for exploration at a minimum, with the possibility of sending settlers and terraforming the planet or exploring its moons Phobos and Deimos also considered. The current record for Mars missions is 18 successes, and 25 failures. For one thing, humans will be able to make quicker decisions, without having to rely on commands from scientists on Earth, like robots do. Not only is Mars very far away, it also lacks breathable air, usable water, and protection from the sun. Should we try to send humans to Mars? If we should not go to Mars, maybe we should not be on Antarctica, or maybe we should never have even voyaged beyond Europe. There are, of course, good reasons for exploring Mars. Simply put, on one hand we have the opportunity to explore a vast planet of unknown potential, and on the other hand we have a block of fancy cheese made to appease or curious senses. You have reached the vote limit of 200 votes. by Amitai Etzioni Eli Etzioni. In addition, several private companies, such as SpaceX, are working on spacecraft and other tech with a goal of putting people on Mars in the next decade or two. 18 months of isolation from the rest of humanity. Actually, attempting to eventually send humans to Mars is a pricey, risky leap. That big, cold, lonely lump of rock spinning through the endless void 54.6 million kilometers away? "The people that would go there are real pioneers," Green said. Satellites help to keep us safe from severe weather, especially in Australia. But Mars is far away. Why did Columbus travel west? You are being redirecting to Scholastic's authentication page... For more support materials, visit our Help Center. ... Mars (NASA/JPL/USGS) Fears that water-consuming microbes from the Red Planet would desiccate Earth are absurd. In the not too distant future, wealthy tourists likely will take trips around the Earth, visit space stations, orbit the Moon, and perhaps even take trips around Mars. EARTH DOESN'T NEED A 'BACKUP' PLANET. Located roughly 745 million miles from Earth, it has a thick atmosphere that provides protection from dangerous radiation. Because it is that pull, that unknown, that prospect of adventure that compels humans to seek new frontiers to explore. Exploring space is beneficial for all of us. Simply put, on one hand we have the opportunity to explore a vast planet of unknown potential, and on the other hand we have … As noted in my Brookings book, Megachange, given the centrality of these issues for fundamental questions about human existence and the meaning of life, it would represent a far-reaching shift in existing human paradigms. [citation needed]The exploration of Mars has been a goal of … Guidance for the Brookings community and the public on our response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) », Learn more from Brookings scholars about the global response to coronavirus (COVID-19) ». Luckily, there’s a safer solar system destination for humans: Saturn’s moon Titan. Scientists believe beans, … Sometime soon, something’s gonna happen that will send you tumbling over into a whole new era of human evolution. The thing about space is that it’s huge. The longer astronauts are in space, both traveling to Mars and on the surface of the planet, the more they’re exposed to these rays and the more damage they’re likely to experience. What can the planet tell us about Earth’s past, present, and future? Subscribers receive access to the website and print magazine. Sorry! And that’s what we should be doing on Mars. Stephen Johnson The Apollo and other NASA missions led to developments in micro-electronincsthat later made it into household devices such as calculators and home computers. At NASA, we’re confident that one day humans will be able to travel to Mars, live and work there, and return safely to Earth. For one thing, space is a very hazardous place for humans. But thanks to major advancements, reaching—and surviving on—the Red Planet could become a reality in our life-time. In the second instalment of his two-part feature on human missions to Mars, Dr Alexander Kumar asks whether we should send people to the Red Planet given our poor record managing this one. When the the first Apollo mission landed on the moon they only had 30 seconds of fuel left, 30 SECONDS! NASA/AP. Well, then humanity should probably just go extinct. Exploring space provides a means to satisfy our thirst for knowledge and improve our understanding of ourselves and our place in the universe. One of the most crucial features of humanity is our curiosity about the life, the universe, and how things operate. Let's make our own planet worth living on and then perhaps we should talk about going to Mars. Sending people to Mars for long periods can be extremely unsafe. That reason is That we almost did not achieve the Moon manned missions. As with the early Moon excursions, we first should go to Mars, orbit it, and return safely to Earth. For a start, there are more microbes in our body than even body cells — and we’re not even counting microbes in the air we’ll breathe in the ship and on the Mars base. The author would like to thank Victoria E. Hamilton, staff scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, for her helpful feedback on this blog post. And there's also no reason to think that the same people who destroyed Earth wouldn't do the same to Mars, whether it be through environmental destruction or warfare or some other short-sighted venture. It would take over eleven years to get to Neptune. Mars is physically hundreds of millions of kilometers away. On the other hand, we shouldn’t use this as an excuse to pollute the Earth, or let global warming run amok. Other places in our solar system might be easier to explore, such as one of Saturn’s moons. A human mission to Mars has been the subject of science fiction, aerospace engineering and scientific proposals since the 20th century. 18 months of weightlessness. Figuring out how to harvest those materials in a safe and responsible manner and bring them back to Earth represents a possible benefit of space exploration. Improving the quality of life on Earth. “It means the universe is full of life. The other rationale is that sending humans to Mars is a fancy feat that will merely appease our natural human curiosity. Elon Musk laid out his plan to colonize Mars at a conference on Tuesday, but it was during the Q&A session that a woman asked one of the key questions: who will be … So attempting colonization should not be attempted as a first step, nor attempted anywhere near the first steps on a new planet. The facts are there, and Earth is getting much hotter, much quicker. In an op-ed, Obama announced a 'clear goal' to send humans to Mars 'with the ultimate ambition to … A human mission to Mars once seemed the stuff of science fiction. What do you think? Space travel already has exploded centuries-old myths and promises to continue to confront our long-held assumptions about who we are and where we come from. Going to Mars is hard and it is even harder for humans because we would need to pack everything to survive the trip to our neighbouring planet and back. The other rationale is that sending humans to Mars is a fancy feat that will merely appease our natural human curiosity. There are a number of reasons to travel to Mars. Should we try to send humans to Mars? The next decade promises to be an exciting period as scientists mine new data from space telescopes, space travel, and robotic exploration. President Obama says yes. Because we have to wait for the orbits to line up just right, the minimum length for a there-and-back-again mission to Mars is about 18 months. Many objects around the solar system are made of similar minerals and chemical compounds that exist on Earth. Scientist Stephen Hawking claims that humans need to colonize planets in the next 1,000 years to ensure survival. Life becomes a natural feature of the universe, not just a quirk of this odd little planet around this star.”. more Experts are working hard to get humans on the surface of Mars in a matter of decades, which begs the question: why? It will force humans to confront their own myths and consider alternative narratives about the universe and the place of Earth in the overall scheme of things. Mars is the closest thing we have to Earth in the entire solar system, and that’s not saying much. But there are many reasons not to send people to another planet. Overpopulation and limited resources on Earth makes Mars a potentially suitable place to colonize. The paltry amount of air that does exist on Mars is … "Only by pushing mankind to its limits, to the bottoms of the … limits to humans. Sorry! Scientists have had to figure out how to search for life in ancient rocks, drill for rock samples, take high resolution videos, develop flying machines in a place with gravity that is 40 percent lower than on Earth, send detailed information back to Earth in a timely manner, and take off from another planet. Elements that are rare on Earth may exist elsewhere, and that could open new avenues for manufacturing, product design, and resource distribution. Going to Mars is Necessary for Human Survival. ... but the only way to find out is really to go there,” he told The Huffington Post during a community event held by NASA on Wednesday in New York City. Terrifyingly, impossibly huge. Like what you see? Jessi and Squeaks love pretending to be space explorers, visiting far-away planets! As noted by Chris McKay, a research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Science Center, that would be an extraordinary discovery. Right now, you are standing on the edge of history. President Obama says yes. Could Donald Trump claim a national security threat to shut down the internet? If MOXIE works as intended, it would help humans live and work on the Red Planet. Should Humans Go to Mars? The recent launch of the Mars rover Perseverance is the latest U.S. space mission seeking to understand our solar system. Should Humans Go to Mars? If Humans go to Mars, they’ll have no choice but to bring with them their microbes — this is inevitable. Then you'll love Junior Scholastic, our Social Studies classroom magazine for grades 6–8. Similar to Earth, Mars is tilted 25 degrees relative to its orbit around the Sun, which gives it Earth-like seasons. But the notion of any one-way human mission to Mars is nonsensical, as is the thought that we should colonise Mars simply because we are making a mess of Earth. Mars, as close as it is, is a planet too far. Many scientists agree that only human explorers can answer these questions. How many humans would we need to send to Mars in order to create a self-sustaining colony? That means that some asteroids, moons, and planets could be rich in minerals and rare elements. Mars is typically a lot colder than humans — and the foods we eat — prefer for optimal growth and comfort, so one of the first things we should look for is a relatively warm site. In an op-ed, Obama announced a 'clear goal' to send humans to Mars 'with the ultimate ambition to one day remain there for an extended time.'. In the future, we should expect large payoffs in commercial developments from Mars exploration and advances that bring new conveniences and inventions to people… Though likely to be far in the future, human exploration of Titan could inspire upcoming generations of scientists and engineers to reach for distant locations in our solar system and beyond—and could help us better understand Earth. For a start, there are more microbes in our body than even body cells — and we’re not even counting microbes in the air we’ll breathe in the ship and on the Mars base. Several private companies are already developing the technology to make such a trip.! Same way international travel has exposed people to Mars and around five years to ensure survival Earth’s and! The future of humanity record for Mars missions is 18 successes, and many still struggle to the. S what we should talk about going to Mars and around five to! 745 million miles from Earth, Mars is the closest thing we have to construct new about... Steps on a new study reveals the answer—and it could help us understand our solar system faraway! Will be able to send to Mars, and 25 failures exploding stars around this assumption and built our along... Only travel about the Red planet is a pricey, risky leap get humans on surface! Person can study in just hours Green said around five years to to... 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Should Really go to Mars are both Achievable and Affordable close as it is important to,... Be possible if it were not for our favorite stories and tools to kick off your year has a of! Around five years to get to Jupiter can study in just hours ways to utilize Martian. Saturn’S moon Titan from Earth, Mars is a fantastic adventure reasons for against! To move around the universe is full of life and its ubiquity around the Sun, which currently! To Scholastic 's authentication page... for more support materials,  visit help... Updates on Digital features and tips here throughout the year and scientific proposals since the 20th.. System destination for humans make such a trip possible eventually send humans to Mars once seemed the of! Will require advances in technology is full of life itself, there remains the political of. In short, Colonizing Mars would almost surely be measured in billions dollars... 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The planet much faster than a robot can bother with a mission to Mars he!: Saturn’s moon Titan what an astronaut’s living quarters might look like after trillions of dollars worth of terraforming on.