Following Theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking’s speech at the Starmus Festival earlier this year asserting that humans need to colonize a new planet soon, Buzz Aldrin, an acclaimed astronaut has said, “Now is the time to start thinking seriously about what life on Mars might look like in the future. I believe we can have the first Human Martians at Mars by 2040.”

Taking the lead in the subject, Hawking had, a few weeks ago, in a program in the BBC theorised that the chance of a disaster on Earth adds up over time, so that it’s a “near certainty” in the next 1,000 or 10,000 years, but the human race will survive if it expands into outer space.

Some of Hawking’s fellow physicists and astronomers also agree we could use an exit strategy, and billionaires like Elon Musk and Richard Branson, are deeply invested in spaceflight.

So there’s now a small but growing community of aspiring space colonists prepping for life on Mars.

Joining the club now is Buzz Aldrin, who in a recent interview weighed in on the importance of taking the next step in journeying into the final frontier, “One of the things that makes space exploration so exciting

is that the possibilities are endless. Mars is the next actionable step for us – we have never been closer to knowing and exploring another planet. Plus, I believe that Mars has realistic potential for colonization.”

It is of significance to note here that in today’s society, where denialism and sensationalism dominate many conversations, a genuine interest in science is now more crucial than ever, for many known faces in the public domain rallying for it.

Hawking at the Starmus Festival told an audience: “I strongly believe that we will start seeking alternative planets for suitable habitation. We are running out of space on Earth and we need to break through the technological limitations, preventing us from living elsewhere in the universe. I am not alone in this view.”

Last year, the 75 year old along with a Russian billionaire, and Mark Zuckerberg, concocted a scheme to build and send spacecraft the size of postage stamps to Alpha Centauri, the second-closest star to Earth, some 4.37 light-years away. The plan, called Breakthrough Starshot, is ambitious, to say the least. Although a number of engineering hurdles would need to be cleared over the next couple of decades to make a launch possible.

Presently, ldrin and Terry Virts, the former commander of the ISS, are teaming up with Omaze, a donation-based experience platform, to offer one winner (and a friend) a chance to celebrate the Apollo 11 anniversary as VIPs at the ShareSpace gala. The winner will get to hang out with the pair and experience Aldrin’s virtual Mars experience.

Obviously, a virtual journey to Mars isn’t exactly the same as a real Martian excursion; however, such technologies can, in some small way, help bring people to the stars, who otherwise might not ever have the opportunity.

Aldrin feels that, in this way, more than just showing people what the voyage to Mars will be like, this type of experience is an integral part of encouraging people to get excited about science and exploration.

To this end, Aldrin thinks that it is through these small pushes in the right direction that humans will finally make it to other worlds.

You might perceive the calls to abandon earth and run away to a better place heedless, as an encouragement to give up on solving the problems we’ve created for ourselves.

But then with climate change, overdue asteroid strikes, epidemics and population growth, our own planet is increasingly precarious, the theory is not as fanatical as it sounds.

Disha Padmanabha
In search of the perfect burger. Serial eater. In her spare time, practises her "Vader Voice". Passionate about dance. Real Weird.