Preservation of the Species
One of the most commonly cited arguments by proponents of extraterrestrial colonization is that it serves as a sort of insurance plan against threats to our survival here on Earth, including environmental destruction, nuclear war, disease, or a stray asteroid.
In an interview with The Guardian, Elon Musk, billionaire founder of SpaceX, summarizes this position well by saying, “There's no rush in the sense that humanity's doom is imminent; I don't think the end is nigh, but I do think we face some small risk of calamitous events. It's sort of like why you buy car or life insurance. It's not because you think you'll die tomorrow, but because you might.” Musk may not think the end is nigh, but according to the calculations of Dr. J. Richard Gott III of Princeton University there is a deadline. In his opinion, to guarantee our survival as a species our goal should be to have a colony up and running on Mars within 39 years from today (2053). He made this statistical determination using a simple idea called the Copernican Principle. Essentially, it is an assumption that allows us to make statistical guesses of lifespans with no information other than how long the thing has existed up to this point. In this case, Gott did the calculation for the space program. While this is a rough calculation, the point is that we shouldn't depend on the fact that the space program will be around forever. We need to take advantage of our opportunities while we can. |
“It's not because you think you'll die tomorrow, but because you might.” - Elon Musk |
Brave New World
George Robinson argues that colonization allows for the formation of new and better governments. |
Another argument sometimes given for the colonization of space by those interested in politics is based on the utopic ideal of being able to start a new human settlement from scratch. Of course this comes with its pitfalls, but proponents of extraterrestrial settlements feel that this gives us a unique chance to create a new government.
Just like the Americas offered a dream of breaking free of the political and social norms of the Old World during the colonial era, space offers the same advantages. While the American idea of manifest destiny and limitless bounty ended at the Pacific Ocean, space is truly limitless. If we can learn to harness it, the benefits for expansion and new beginnings are just as limitless. Attorney George Robinson holds this idea as a central claim in his paper, "No Space Colonies: Creating a Space Civilization and the Need for a Defining Constitution." published in the Journal of Space Law. |
Economic Spark
Another common argument made by proponents of immediate colonization is that it will bring us deep, long lasting economic benefits. Neil De Grasse Tyson in particular is well known for espousing this view. He thinks that increasing funding for NASA will lead to important technological advances, as well as contributing to an economy-boosting culture of innovation.
In an interview with Forbes, he said, "Doesn’t somebody have to be motivated to do it in the first place? Doesn’t there have to be some dream that people have, and reach for and feel compelled to participate in?" This position is supported by research done by economists which suggests that NASA and other government R&D related programs provide around a seven dollar return on every dollar over eighteen years, in addition to a myriad of other technological and employment benefits. |
"Doesn’t there have to be some dream that people have, and reach for and feel compelled to participate in?" - Neil De Grasse Tyson |
Human Imperative
“I come at space from a standpoint of a romantic belief that it really is part of our destiny." - Newt Gringrich |
For some, colonization is more than just a list of advantages. It is also a natural extension of our human nature to expand and to explore. Space offers a grand challenge and a chance to inspire our greatest minds. Philosophers and politicians alike support this view.
As part of his 2012 bid for the Republican presidential nomination, Newt Gingrich expounded this view saying, “I come at space from a standpoint of a romantic belief that it really is part of our destiny (New York Times).” Charles Miller, a former NASA adviser, confirmed that Gingrich's goals of establishing a moon colony were technologically feasible, but as our current hindsight confirms, his main concern regarding that plan was that, "[t]he improbable thing at this point is if Newt will become president." |