This is a golden age for most fields of science and technology, more and more discoveries are being made that change the landscape of science as we know it because of better funding, innovation, and upgraded technology. One field that has been lacking recently is manned space travel, a science that was once significant on a global level as many civilized nations participated in the Space Race from the 1950’s to the early 1970’s. That Space Race lead to innovations and scientific achievements that have only occurred a few times in our history, like putting a man on the moon. And although those days of space exploration came to a stop eventually, many people seem to have their eyes set far beyond Earth, ready to continue exploring outer space. The second space race is gearing up and the major difference in this one and the last is that right now private companies are the ones investing time and money and personnel into the field as opposed to using government funds and resources. Companies like Space X, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin are currently leading the world in rocket technology and funding for future manned missions beyond Earth. Ambitious as it may seem, Elon Musk, the CEO of Space X and the closest real world equivalent to Iron Man seems to believe that we can have humans on their way to the red planet as early as 2024.

Now many people criticize the idea of colonizing Mars, saying that it exemplifies the fact that our society has a throwaway culture, humans wrecked many things on this planet and now they’re just ready to forget about it and go find a new one to pollute? While those points may be valid in context, thinking that everyone who wants to be involved in space exploration is a selfish person who hasn’t taken care of the environment is a misguided assumption. And whether we like it or not, this planet has a set number of non renewable resources that we will eventually use up. It is best for us to have a backup plan before we suck the well dry so we can at least maintain some form of civil society. One way or another, there will come a time where the ability to colonize other celestial bodies could save many species, including our own.

So while many will continue to be full of skepticism on this idea, companies with billions and billions of dollars at stake think it’s worth their time and that alone shows that these ideas can’t be 100% ridiculous. So if you are paranoid of the impending World War Three, or you’re looking for a new spot to live with different weather conditions, or you’re just fed up with everybody on Earth, do some research and get your ticket to Mars now and in a few short decades you could be waking up far far away on the surface of the red planet.