Space exploration has been a celebrated subject in creative works and popular culture for over a century. Space colonization is the permanent and indigenous habitation by man in locations outside of Earth, including Mars, the Moon, and even planetary orbits.  It is a way to ensure the survival of humanity in the face of severely dwindling life-sustaining resources and the threat of planetary catastrophes. Considerable research is going on to tap into the infinite potential that space exploration and colonization has to offer.

In 2016, Elon Musk, a leading business magnate, investor and philanthropist, announced his plans to build a self-sustaining colony on Mars. At the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide (Australia), Musk unveiled plans to send two unpiloted cargo missions to scout for water sources and build a fuel plant on Mars by 2022. He also outlined his plans to send four more flights to Mars by 2024: two more unpiloted cargo missions and two carrying astronauts.

However, this raises the question of whether we should really colonize space. If yes, how do we go about doing it? One practical argument is that if even half the money spent for space exploration was used for terrestrial betterment, it would benefit a greater number of people albeit for a short time. Increasing consumption of Earth’s resources to sustain our way of life is a major environmental concern. As more and more nations shift their focus from being primarily agricultural to more industrial in nature, their standards of life are constantly improving. To sustain their new standard of living, these nations tap into the limited resources already being shared by other countries. Space colonies seem like a feasible answer to this problem.

Despite the arguments listed above, one cannot overlook the moral side of the debate. Some trains of thought against space colonization suggest that the entire mission was built to fulfil our patriotic dogma of conquest, reinforcing negative national prejudice, rather than helping to unify Earth. Supposing that space colonization turns out to be a viable solution, the question of who gets to be a part of the colony remains. Is one supposed to prioritize suitability, diversity, or just leave it to the highest bidder? A solution to this problem may emerge using one’s moral compass, but then again, whose ethics are going to be employed for the purpose? One’s sense of morality is heavily influenced by their culture and upbringing, which differ across the globe. A universally accepted ethical code must exist to traverse space as a species as opposed to separate nations. Speaking of species, colonization of a planet might change the biosphere of the destination planet, heavily influencing life forms already present on the planet or in the process of originating.

Despite several arguments for and against, space colonization remains a distant dream that mankind dwells on. Here’s to infinity and beyond, as long as we remember that it’s not our space alone.