Beyond borders: are we ready for the new era of space tourism and colonization?
You may not have to look very far into the horizon to spot a new era. In the realm of space tourism and colonization, a spectrum emerges where proponents and sceptics alike offer their divergent views on the potential of space exploration. However, the drive and potential for commercial investments in space innovation and exploration has surged, particularly concerning space tourism and colonization.
What’s the destination for your next summer vacation? Spain, Stockholm, or maybe a trip to space? How about an extended weekend getaway in weightless state and an incredibly iconic look at the thin blue line of the atmosphere? It's going to be an absolutely breathtaking experience watching the Sun rise over our blue planet.
Over the decades, we have been exposed to sci-fi, films, and culture that predict the future of humans in space. Consider the ground breaking and forward-thinking movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" upon its release in the 1960s. It was an incredibly revolutionary and state-of-the-art film. Humans have dreamed about space exploration for centuries – how the first people were able to identify and perceive patterns to give the stars and their patterns different names. Fast forward to today, civilians will not have to look very far into the horizon for new space adventures and exploration.
A trip to space is not just a walk in the park. There is a considerable amount of medical and psychological issues involved that must be addressed. Security must be top notch before we can potentially begin mass tourism and colonization of space. Standing on the threshold of the great space adventures, it is very clear that there are two distinct poles: the optimists, who envision boundless opportunities and possibilities, and the pessimists, who express concerns and doubts about the challenges and risks involved.
A world of songs and science: 1,000 Mozarts and 1,000 Einsteins
SpaceX chief Elon Musk is an optimist by heart. Musk has pushed claims that he will resettle a million people on Mars by 2050 by using a thousand rockets built by his company, SpaceX1. The goal is to have the very first settlers arriving by the end of this decade. Even sooner, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin rocket company is plotting to build a so-called "office park" in low-Earth orbit within the next five years by the name of Orbital Reef. In November 2022, the world exceeded the threshold of 8 billion individuals, as reported by the United Nations.2 “If space becomes a viable place for humans to live, the solar system has enough resources to support 1 trillion humans," Bezos said. "Then we'd have 1,000 Mozarts and 1,000 Einsteins. Think how incredible and dynamic that civilization will be.”3
Red Planet off limits?
Although colonization and space tourism have endless possibilities, it is extremely important to understand some of the larger issues that we will undoubtedly have to address. George Dvorsky, Deputy Editor at Gizmodo Media, specialized in spaceflight, space policy, and space exploration, questions the future prospects for people living on Mars. "Unless we radically adapt our brains and bodies to the harsh Martian environment, the Red Planet will forever remain off limits to humans," Dvorsky says and adds that "the notion that we'll soon set up colonies inhabited by hundreds or thousands of people is pure nonsense.”4
While the gravity on Earth is 1, it is only 0.375 on Mars. This means that a 200-pound (90 kilograms) person on Earth will weigh 75 lbs (34 kilograms) on the red planet. A long-term stay in this low-gravity environment will inevitably have negative consequences for the human body and mental health. According to NASA, astronauts are required to exercise two hours per day, using the treadmill or stationary bicycle, to avoid the bone and muscle deterioration that occurs in zero gravity. If the astronauts didn’t exercise in space, they would be unable to walk or stand up when they return to Earth after months of floating in space.
Clinical neuroscientist, Matthew Savage, points to the same issues. "Like our bodies, our brains rely on gravity to function correctly. When in space, our vestibular system is thrown out of kilter. Dizziness is common for space visitors, and the ability to perceive speed, distance and direction is reduced,” Savage says5. Savage also emphasizes the importance of mental preparation for the trip and the effects it can have on our mental health. Cosmonaut Valentin Lebedev noted in his journal on board the Salyut 7 in 1982, that he "grew irritable" with his crew members, did not wish to look out the window and noted how days grew longer.6
Optimism, pessimism…opportunism?
No matter if you lean towards optimism, pessimism, or somewhere in between, the realm of space travel and colonization holds immense promise in the realm of space technology. The space industry is experiencing rapid growth, projected to skyrocket from USD 447 billion in 2022 to a staggering USD 1 trillion globally by 2030. Notably, approximately 70 countries boast their own space agencies, underscoring the widespread allure and potential of space exploration and innovation.7
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