Why Are There Plans to Colonize Mars but Not the Moon?

The central question is often about why there are extensive plans for colonizing Mars, with considerable investments in space travel, robotics, and infrastructure, while the Moon receives comparatively less attention. This disparity in focus can be attributed to a variety of factors, including logistical challenges, resource availability, and strategic considerations.

Logistical Challenges and Resource Availability

Neither the Moon nor Mars has the capability to support human life without significant supplies from Earth. Establishing a sustainable supply delivery system is crucial, and until such a system is in place, both destinations are essentially dead ends for colonization. However, the Moon presents several advantages over Mars for initial exploration.

While there are plans to move a few humans to the Moon for exploration, not for settlement, the reasons for this differ significantly from plans for Mars colonization. The Moon offers several resources that are critical for sustained human habitation, such as water ice. The exploration of these resources is deemed essential before moving into the settlement phase. Once these resources are sufficiently proven, development can follow, leading to eventual settlement.

Although Mars is much larger and may contain more total resources, it is significantly more challenging to access. The Moon is much closer and easier to reach, making it a logical first step. Additionally, the Moon's proximity to Earth allows for regular supply missions, minimizing the risks associated with long-duration flights to Mars.

Strategically Parallel Missions to the Moon and Mars

A strategic approach involves moving forward with both the Moon and Mars in parallel, rather than focusing on one over the other. While conducting preliminary testing of long-duration flights around the Moon is crucial for validating hardware, lunar colonization can continue to be a priority. Moving to Phobos, one of Mars' moons, could be an intermediate step before attempting to land humans on Mars.

Phobos, with its potential abundance of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon, and more accessible solar energy, offers several advantages. For instance, early exploration landers could potentially land nearly anywhere on Mars with enough fuel and oxygen to return to orbit, without the need for a large fuel production facility. Humanoid robots, deployed from these landers, can be teleoperated from a human-occupied orbital station, conducting exploration and eventually setting up a human base.

Meanwhile, the Moon colony will have its own challenges, such as a shortage of carbon, nitrogen, and argon, which are critical for agriculture and breathable air. These resources are abundant on Mars, making them relatively easy to obtain. For example, CO2 on Mars can be converted into nitrogen and argon, which can be collected and transported using efficient ion thrusters to Lunar orbit.

The Potential of an In-Space Economy

The notion of colonizing multiple places within the Solar System creates the potential for an in-space economy. This economic potential addresses one of the most pressing criticisms of space exploration: the lack of commercially valuable resources. As mentioned, there is currently nothing of significant value on Mars that can be shipped back to Earth. However, resources and economic opportunities can emerge through various forms of trade and development.

Key Resources: Water ice on the Moon for life support and fuel production Oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon on Phobos and Mars moons for resource mining Argon and nitrogen from Mars for agriculture and atmospheric composition

These resources can be transported to various orbits, and an in-space economy could be established. High-efficiency thrusters could be used to move cargo from these destinations to Lunar orbit, where they can be collected and delivered using conventional rockets like SpaceX Starship.

As more colonies are established, the potential for trade and interaction between these locations will increase, driving innovation and economic growth. This can lead to new inventions, better living and working conditions, and even cultural and scientific exchanges.

Therefore, while Mars and the Moon present distinct challenges and opportunities, a strategic and parallel approach to both destinations is essential for the future of space exploration and human colonization of the Solar System.