SXSW Panel: Generation Mars

It’s been a fantasy of science fiction fans and government agencies to boldly go to infinity and beyond, but how exactly does one get there? Dr. Deborah Barnhart, former NASA astronaut Don Thomas, microbiologist Monsi Roman, and screenwriter Mickey Fisher gathered to discuss the possibilities of what Mars space travel might look like.

(l-r): Deborah Barnhart, Don Thomas, Monsi Roman, Mickey Fisher (Photo by Mae Hamilton)

Though the notion of a permanent human colonization on Mars may seem like something that would happen in the distant future, all four panelists were in agreement that motions to begin such a project could be underway as early as 2030. But for that to happen, Barnhart argued that a mutual partnership between private sector space companies and government agencies needs to be achieved in order to reach the fulfillment of life on Mars.

“It doesn’t really matter if Elon [Musk] gets there first or if NASA gets there first,” Barnhart said. “It’s not us and them. It’s ‘we’ now. It’s going to take commercial, government, and international participation.”

The panelists also discussed how a Martian space age might shape the consciousness of pop culture.

“If you look at all of these dreams that are becoming reality, it’s the job of somebody like me to help foster that dream and inspire kids to say, ‘Hey, that could be me one day,’” Fisher said. “I want every kid around the world to look at media and feel a part of that.”

But don’t look to the stars to see where humanity might be going. All panelists agreed that the future of space travel lies a little bit closer to home with the proverbial future: children. Thomas emphasized that though he is now an accomplished astronaut who has spent a total of 44 days in orbit, his career in space began with a simple childhood interest that never quite died.

“Between our technology and this generation, we will definitely be heading to Mars in the near future,” Thomas said. “Our next generation of young astronauts, scientists, and engineers have the enthusiasm and the energy. They want to go to Mars.”

Here’s to hoping that the little dreamers of today will still have an interest in space oddities by 2030.

Generation Mars