Humanity could colonize Mars decades ago

Humanity could colonize Mars decades ago

Stephen Petranek is convinced that people should have gone to the Red Planet many decades ago. There was money, but agencies simply did not calculate time, resources and energy. But now everything has changed, so the book by Petranek “How we will live on Mars” reveals his views on the flight of the colonists and the terraforming of the planet.

- Why did you write the book now, not 5-10 years ago? What makes a flight to Mars more relevant and important than other missions?

My book is a wake-up call for humanity. I wanted to say that we have the technologies that allowed us to send people to the Red Planet 30-50 years ago. But only now governments are interested in this mission. The colonization of Mars will happen much earlier than you think. I believe that the first man will set foot on Martian lands in 2027. This thought was pushed by numerous discussions with Ilon Mask.

Mask is really convinced of the idea of ​​colonizing Mars until 2025. And he told me that he would be very disappointed if we were not in time by 2030. But this task falls on his shoulders, because even at NASA they do not plan to send people before the 2030s.

Humanity could colonize Mars decades ago

Steven Petranek Speaks at the Premiere of the TV Series “MARS” Channel National Geographic

It is happening now. We have all the technologies, so you just need to focus on development and understand what exactly Mars will be for us. - Do you think that this journey will help to better understand the connection of humanity with the Earth?

In fact, we could all be Martians. In theory, life could originate on the Red Planet, and then go to Earth. After all, we are still not able to answer exactly how life originated on our planet.

- If life originated on Mars, what was required for its prosperity?

People, like Ilona Mask, believe that successful regulation on the Red Planet depends on the presence on its surface of hundreds of thousands and millions of people. I agree with him. So far, our experience consists only in a short trip to the moon, where we have never returned. Perhaps Russia, China and the United States will do the same with Mars. But the company SpaceX declares its desire to send 80,000 people to Mars for permanent presence by 2050.

Humanity could colonize Mars decades ago

Selfies from a Curiosity rover

The modern world has incredible power, abilities and finances that were not there before. If at one time breakthroughs were made due to the influence of the government, now private companies can do it. Therefore, I am optimistic. With the breakthrough of the Apollo mission, Werner von Braun tried to convince everyone of the need to immediately move to Mars. But Richard Nixon decided to concentrate on the shuttles, killing this opportunity.

- It's all about finance?

America sent 135 shuttle missions. Each of them cost $ 1.5 billion. If we launched half as many missions, we could ensure the landing of people on Mars. - What role will public opinion play?

I think that the public always wanted to implement this idea. Since childhood, I remember how excited the news about the mission of Apollo. I will never forget the tension from the first flight. The whole Earth seemed to be tensely awaiting the return of the astronauts. As if our existence acquired a higher meaning.

Science is what makes a person's life better. Therefore, society expects that we will do something more than a banal burning of money for war. Everyone wants to see a breakthrough. Humanity is a nomadic species that will spread not only in the solar system, but will also go to other stars.

Humanity could colonize Mars decades ago

Guests at the premiere of the TV series “MARS” from National Geographic

- Where else can you travel in the solar system? Will Mars become a launching pad for other worlds?

The Red Planet is an excellent launching pad, because it reaches only 38% of the Earth’s gravity. To overcome this force will take little energy. So launching rockets is much easier from Mars.

Imagine a global aviation center. Red Planet will be the best and largest rocket center in the solar system. Everywhere there are livable worlds and satellites to visit. On Titan you will find a sea of ​​gasoline and liquid methane. These are hydrocarbons. In Europe, there is a huge amount of water under the frozen bark. What if life is hiding there? These objects are much easier to get from Mars.

- This is a kind of Atlanta version. You know, Mars is 1000 times farther from Earth than the Moon. There is more difficult to reach and form the base. However, it is even more difficult to get outside the solar system and get to other exoplanets. If we want this, then we cannot do without mastering Mars.

Humanity could colonize Mars decades ago

The red planet is ready to meet humanity

- How did you work together with the creators of the “MARS” series?

In fact, the plot is extremely conservative. This is surprising, but we have a conservative view of what could have happened. I'm not sure that in the first rocket will go only 6 people. And I do not think it will be just one missile. Maybe 2-3 will fly right away. Of course, not to do without problems and failures.

You know, SpaceX was going to launch a Dragon capsule on a heavy rocket. That is, they are already planning to first send a cargo to the Martian surface, and then the first people. So my friends from NASA believe that Ilon Mask will fail, because the system will fail.

However, SpaceX can afford failures, failures and is not afraid to take risks. But at NASA once again not at risk. If they make a mistake, they will be criticized in Congress and denied finance. In such a situation, you have to be careful.

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