Robert Zubrin, a vigorous proponent of exploring Mars and head of the Mars Society, has done a pretty good job of sounding the alarm. He thinks recent moves by public figures such as Elon Musk and Donald Trump are greatly affecting the course of our space exploration future. Further, Zubrin’s radical Mars Direct plan—released in 1990—was an early demonstration of his passion for space exploration. For 30 years, he has labored diligently to increase our knowledge of Mars and further its colonization. His critiques have pinpointed two main areas of concern. First, he takes issue with the depiction of Mars as an escape from Earth. Second, he casts doubt on the practicality of the spacecraft currently in development to get there.
Zubrin’s extensive body of work includes hundreds of published papers and multiple innovative propulsion concepts, showcasing his commitment to practical solutions for interplanetary travel. Iconoclast that he is, Fishman thinks we need to fundamentally change the rhetoric around Mars. The vision Musk paints stands in sharp contrast to his own vision for human habitation across the surface of the planet.
The Vision for Mars: Refuge or Renewal?
In a recent statement on Musk’s plans, Zubrin rejected Musk’s portrayal of Mars as a refuge for humanity escaping a worsening Earth. Rather, he sees Mars as a blank slate, a new beginning, a chance for reinvention and redemption. Earthly problems Zubrin is adamant that we don’t simply need to escape Earth’s problems. Instead, let’s focus and leverage those challenges to develop a permanent, sustainable human presence on Mars.
Zubrin’s philosophy focuses on utilizing new technology to terraform Mars’ environment. This change is a necessary first step toward making the long-term human colonization of this planet possible. He emphasizes that understanding and improving conditions on Mars can stimulate innovation and growth rather than perpetuate an escapist mentality. This perspective aligns with his broader vision for humanity’s future in space, which he believes should be rooted in optimism and proactive engagement.
Innovations in Spacecraft Design
Perhaps Zubrin’s most permanent contribution to the future of space exploration is his deep-ocean big-idea proposal for a small, classical-looking lander that he dubs “Starboat.” In combination with short hop uses this vessel would connect surfaces of Mars with orbit, greatly improving efficiency of transportation in space. Zubrin claims that Starboat will require only a third of the propellant larger proposed spacecraft designs. This dramatically increases its practicality for future missions.
Musk’s Starship has been a pretty high-profile target for critics of Mars plans. He points out that its giant mass would be unsuitable for a Mars ascent vehicle. He argues that Starship’s massive size makes it difficult to fly and inefficient to operate, thus holding back the necessary advances to efficiently colonize Mars. At the same time, Zubrin is a passionate advocate for designs such as Starboat. His focus is on making interplanetary travel more practical, putting function over form and size.
Critique of Current Leadership in Space Exploration
Zubrin’s critiques go well beyond spacecraft design and cut straight to the heart of the ideological rot at NASA and government funding in general. He’s been one of the few releases to vocally oppose Donald Trump’s attempts to slash NASA’s space science budget. He cautions that these choices can fundamentally jeopardize critical progress in space exploration. Zubrin thinks seriously ambitious projects, such as colonizing Mars, require sufficient funding. His list emphasizes, in his words, the vital importance of political support to determining the future of space science.
His seminal, 1996 book, The Case for Mars, provided the stirring and practical blueprint for how we could get to—and eventually settle—Mars. Beyond the new technology described in this vision, Zubrin makes it clear that realizing this vision will take both a wealth of political support and, more importantly, public engagement. We can do amazing things if only we’ll invest properly in scientific discovery and exploration, he argues. Otherwise, as a species we risk losing our opportunity to be a multi-planetary people.