Oceans of Opportunity

Since 2008, this Blog has been a communications priority providing shorts, op-eds, and bramblings that communicate our evolution to ‘a new life in the sea’.

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where will we humans play next – Mars?

'A New Life in the Sea' by Michael LombardiA recent CNN piece discussed the future of NASA, with a particular focus on the ‘spark’ that has been long since lost in the program. As it is argued, the early excitement in NASA came from human venturing to a new frontier for the first time – we were leaving this planet and looking to new horizons for humanity. We’ve always thought big, but that has come with some overlooked frontiers right here on Earth.

As the article states, we (particularly Americans) strive for bigger and better at all cost. This is true with exploration as well. We want to be the first…to the bottom of the sea, to the moon, and to Mars…the latter being the potential next step. On one hand, I can appreciate this drive that is inherent in human nature – to be the first to make a bold move to uncharted territory…it broadens the gap from the competition, though of course the rewards are not without tremendous risk of all shapes and sizes.

A successful campaign however, is full bodied. We need to not only extend to these new horizons and plant our flag, but then go on to find value in the exploration, colonize the space as needed to reap the benefits of our being there, and then move on. This quest never came full circle with the moon, which leads me to question the motives on a human Mars mission.

Yes, a human journey to Mars would be a huge statement…I’d love to be on that mission myself. But, once we get there, we’d better have a plan, as that could very well be HUGE dollars spent on a ‘stunt’ and nothing more. It can’t be about just being first…it has to be about a sound mission strategy. While many can argue that an extended human journey in space is the necessary sex-appeal to jump start some excitement in the next generation of space exploration; much, much more is required…and these are fundamental elements with any exploration programs – a solid vision, sound leadership, those willing to push beyond our technological and psychological limits, and a means to measure ‘value’ in the work. Within the institution of NASA itself, I am not convinced that a frontier push can be accommodated – too much risk. I believe the vision and drivers need to come from the private sector, with NASA’s endorsement and contributions to make it happen.

Mars, 2001, with the southern polar ice cap vi...Image via Wikipedia

Akin to extended space exploration is what we’re doing at the lower limits of this newly defined ‘mesophotic zone’ in the ocean. Yes, its one thing to get there, but more importantly is creating some sustainable infrastructure along the way to build up the colony behind the edge of the frontier limits. So, so many opportunities present themselves, and this leads to multi-generations worth of work if managed properly. This was an opportunity not yet taken with the lunar program. We’ve done reasonably well with low Earth orbit programs, but why aren’t we established on the moon having first been there more than 50 years ago? Surely this is a necessary step before we think about even a temporary stay on Mars?
Time will tell, and this may present the opportunity to foster a new generation of life in the sea programs. For a fraction of the cost, we can do a significant amount of good here on our Blue Planet, while preparing for a human exodus to the cosmos…

A robot mission? Not interesting, not sexy, not intriguing to the human spirit. For people to boldly go where no one has gone before strikes each and every one of us right at home. It’s that same excitement that we all experienced as a kid as we turned over a rock, eager to see what lies beneath…it is in our hearts and soul to experience our surroundings, absorb information, then process and share it with our peers. Sorry, but no robot on the planet can talk to me and get me excited about exploration. The personal journey to get there though…now that is worth paying attention to.

So, what and where will it be…well, I beg of you NASA – think big, but don’t forget about the alien environments right here on Earth. Turning our focus inward would be a game changer.

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