Elon Musk will take us to Mars – will it be home? | Reinier Zeldenrust | TEDxLondonBusinessSchool

[Music]

[Music] like most kids I grew up loving space I

like most kids I grew up loving space I

like most kids I grew up loving space I loved space and when I couldn’t really

loved space and when I couldn’t really

loved space and when I couldn’t really become an astronaut like many people I

become an astronaut like many people I

become an astronaut like many people I became an astrophysicist instead but I

became an astrophysicist instead but I

became an astrophysicist instead but I also I also loved buildings so for the

also I also loved buildings so for the

also I also loved buildings so for the last few years I’ve been working on on

last few years I’ve been working on on

last few years I’ve been working on on making buildings more sustainable but

making buildings more sustainable but

making buildings more sustainable but I’ve never been able to combine these

I’ve never been able to combine these

I’ve never been able to combine these two loves it’s been quite frustrating

two loves it’s been quite frustrating

two loves it’s been quite frustrating until last year because last year my

until last year because last year my

until last year because last year my hero Elon Musk came up and presented

hero Elon Musk came up and presented

hero Elon Musk came up and presented this this vision of going to Mars in the

this this vision of going to Mars in the

this this vision of going to Mars in the next in the next decade to send this

next in the next decade to send this

next in the next decade to send this fleet of spaceships to Mars and send

fleet of spaceships to Mars and send

fleet of spaceships to Mars and send million people there by the end of the

million people there by the end of the

million people there by the end of the century and it was a wonderful story

century and it was a wonderful story

century and it was a wonderful story wonderful vision it was 40 story

wonderful vision it was 40 story

wonderful vision it was 40 story reusable rocket 100 great tip to Mars

reusable rocket 100 great tip to Mars

reusable rocket 100 great tip to Mars nap for only $200,000

nap for only $200,000

nap for only $200,000 you know I’m sold and at first I was

you know I’m sold and at first I was

you know I’m sold and at first I was really in all this technological vision

really in all this technological vision

really in all this technological vision I was I was very impressed but by the

I was I was very impressed but by the

I was I was very impressed but by the end you know that he he showed this

end you know that he he showed this

end you know that he he showed this video and by the end of the video I was

video and by the end of the video I was

video and by the end of the video I was mostly intrigued by the final shot of

mostly intrigued by the final shot of

mostly intrigued by the final shot of the video because it shows this a barren

the video because it shows this a barren

the video because it shows this a barren desert so if we’re going to move million

desert so if we’re going to move million

desert so if we’re going to move million people to Mars and this is what it looks

people to Mars and this is what it looks

people to Mars and this is what it looks like

like

like where are they going to live what kind

where are they going to live what kind

where are they going to live what kind of buildings how will we build them and

of buildings how will we build them and

of buildings how will we build them and how will we make them sustainable so –

how will we make them sustainable so –

how will we make them sustainable so – to answer these questions I’d like to

to answer these questions I’d like to

to answer these questions I’d like to take you on a trip with me so a few

take you on a trip with me so a few

take you on a trip with me so a few years ago my fiancee treated me for a

years ago my fiancee treated me for a

years ago my fiancee treated me for a brand birthday on a camping trip but we

brand birthday on a camping trip but we

brand birthday on a camping trip but we didn’t just take our bags and went

didn’t just take our bags and went

didn’t just take our bags and went camping we went camping by kayak which

camping we went camping by kayak which

camping we went camping by kayak which meant that we had to load our kayaks

meant that we had to load our kayaks

meant that we had to load our kayaks with everything we needed for this trip

with everything we needed for this trip

with everything we needed for this trip so we loaded up our tent sleeping bags

so we loaded up our tent sleeping bags

so we loaded up our tent sleeping bags very carefully measured amounts of food

very carefully measured amounts of food

very carefully measured amounts of food we have the spreadsheet with down to the

we have the spreadsheet with down to the

we have the spreadsheet with down to the gram of

gram of

gram of how much food we brought and there

how much food we brought and there

how much food we brought and there wasn’t any firewood on on the island so

wasn’t any firewood on on the island so

wasn’t any firewood on on the island so we so we took firewood with us as well

we so we took firewood with us as well

we so we took firewood with us as well and we loaded our cats paddled to the

and we loaded our cats paddled to the

and we loaded our cats paddled to the middle of the lake and we stayed on this

middle of the lake and we stayed on this

middle of the lake and we stayed on this beautiful island for two short days

beautiful island for two short days

beautiful island for two short days sadly and then you know we had to break

sadly and then you know we had to break

sadly and then you know we had to break up camp and go back to society and why

up camp and go back to society and why

up camp and go back to society and why am I telling you this

am I telling you this

am I telling you this well because so far that’s kind of what

well because so far that’s kind of what

well because so far that’s kind of what we’ve been doing in space you know we

we’ve been doing in space you know we

we’ve been doing in space you know we went to the moon on a camping trip we we

went to the moon on a camping trip we we

went to the moon on a camping trip we we took attend a lunar lander we took

took attend a lunar lander we took

took attend a lunar lander we took freeze-dried food

freeze-dried food

freeze-dried food we took a fuel cell to power the to

we took a fuel cell to power the to

we took a fuel cell to power the to power the expedition and we stayed for

power the expedition and we stayed for

power the expedition and we stayed for three days that was the longest stay on

three days that was the longest stay on

three days that was the longest stay on the moon and then we went back with a

the moon and then we went back with a

the moon and then we went back with a few souvenirs and this is also kind of

few souvenirs and this is also kind of

few souvenirs and this is also kind of what we’ve been so far

what we’ve been so far

what we’ve been so far you know having mined from Mars so this

you know having mined from Mars so this

you know having mined from Mars so this is drawing from the 80s illustrating

is drawing from the 80s illustrating

is drawing from the 80s illustrating what scientists were planning then in a

what scientists were planning then in a

what scientists were planning then in a mission for Mars and you can see many of

mission for Mars and you can see many of

mission for Mars and you can see many of the same elements that were that were

the same elements that were that were

the same elements that were that were needed for the moon so it’s a bit of a

needed for the moon so it’s a bit of a

needed for the moon so it’s a bit of a thicker bulkier Lander suitable for a

thicker bulkier Lander suitable for a

thicker bulkier Lander suitable for a longer trip because Mars is 300 times

longer trip because Mars is 300 times

longer trip because Mars is 300 times further away than the moon is so if you

further away than the moon is so if you

further away than the moon is so if you go you have to go for longer and you

go you have to go for longer and you

go you have to go for longer and you have to have a bigger faster rocket to

have to have a bigger faster rocket to

have to have a bigger faster rocket to get there you you need a nuclear reactor

get there you you need a nuclear reactor

get there you you need a nuclear reactor to power your state your stay and you

to power your state your stay and you

to power your state your stay and you need to deal with the psychological

need to deal with the psychological

need to deal with the psychological issues that come from long period of

issues that come from long period of

issues that come from long period of isolation but ultimately it is a bit

isolation but ultimately it is a bit

isolation but ultimately it is a bit like a camping trip and you know there’s

like a camping trip and you know there’s

like a camping trip and you know there’s there’s a few challenges but most of

there’s a few challenges but most of

there’s a few challenges but most of these challenges are surmountable and

these challenges are surmountable and

these challenges are surmountable and the real question is of political will

the real question is of political will

the real question is of political will and money but technically it can be done

and money but technically it can be done

and money but technically it can be done we we can camp on Mars so so the

we we can camp on Mars so so the

we we can camp on Mars so so the question here is then why you know what

question here is then why you know what

question here is then why you know what will we need to do to make Mars more

will we need to do to make Mars more

will we need to do to make Mars more than a camping trip so it’s a bit like

than a camping trip so it’s a bit like

than a camping trip so it’s a bit like going from building a tent to building a

going from building a tent to building a

going from building a tent to building a house you know you’ll need more

house you know you’ll need more

house you know you’ll need more protection against the elements you’ll

protection against the elements you’ll

protection against the elements you’ll need

need

need you’ll need to stir they’re bigger

you’ll need to stir they’re bigger

you’ll need to stir they’re bigger building and you’ll need a steady supply

building and you’ll need a steady supply

building and you’ll need a steady supply of fuel so let’s start with the

of fuel so let’s start with the

of fuel so let’s start with the protection against the elements so it

protection against the elements so it

protection against the elements so it doesn’t rain on Mars but there’s a lot

doesn’t rain on Mars but there’s a lot

doesn’t rain on Mars but there’s a lot of radiation because if it’s thin

of radiation because if it’s thin

of radiation because if it’s thin atmosphere and lack of magnetic field

atmosphere and lack of magnetic field

atmosphere and lack of magnetic field and this is fine for a short stay and by

and this is fine for a short stay and by

and this is fine for a short stay and by short I mean two years just fine for a

short I mean two years just fine for a

short I mean two years just fine for a short relatively short stay but if he

short relatively short stay but if he

short relatively short stay but if he stayed for 20 years

stayed for 20 years

stayed for 20 years one in three inhabitants would get

one in three inhabitants would get

one in three inhabitants would get cancer so what you need to do is have a

cancer so what you need to do is have a

cancer so what you need to do is have a very thick layer of material between you

very thick layer of material between you

very thick layer of material between you like a metre or so between you and the

like a metre or so between you and the

like a metre or so between you and the radiation to shield yourself and that’s

radiation to shield yourself and that’s

radiation to shield yourself and that’s quite bulky so and Mars is far and it’s

quite bulky so and Mars is far and it’s

quite bulky so and Mars is far and it’s expensive to bring stuff there so that

expensive to bring stuff there so that

expensive to bring stuff there so that we can’t really do that so we’ll have to

we can’t really do that so we’ll have to

we can’t really do that so we’ll have to find local materials and have to look

find local materials and have to look

find local materials and have to look locally we can’t just take everything

locally we can’t just take everything

locally we can’t just take everything with us so what can you do well so you

with us so what can you do well so you

with us so what can you do well so you can either go underground so you can

can either go underground so you can

can either go underground so you can either dig yourself a hole and/or build

either dig yourself a hole and/or build

either dig yourself a hole and/or build on top of your on top of your building

on top of your on top of your building

on top of your on top of your building or you can find one of the caves that

or you can find one of the caves that

or you can find one of the caves that Mars has and be sort of original settler

Mars has and be sort of original settler

Mars has and be sort of original settler be a caveman now that’s a good option

be a caveman now that’s a good option

be a caveman now that’s a good option and it will work and another option is

and it will work and another option is

and it will work and another option is to sort of take the local building

to sort of take the local building

to sort of take the local building materials so if it turns out that if you

materials so if it turns out that if you

materials so if it turns out that if you take sand of Mars called regolith if you

take sand of Mars called regolith if you

take sand of Mars called regolith if you take that and compress it with enough

take that and compress it with enough

take that and compress it with enough force it turns into a brick that’s

force it turns into a brick that’s

force it turns into a brick that’s stronger than reinforced concrete and

stronger than reinforced concrete and

stronger than reinforced concrete and this is because of the high iron content

this is because of the high iron content

this is because of the high iron content of the soil which is also why it’s red

of the soil which is also why it’s red

of the soil which is also why it’s red because it’s rust colored it’s basically

because it’s rust colored it’s basically

because it’s rust colored it’s basically made of rust so that’s quite a good

made of rust so that’s quite a good

made of rust so that’s quite a good option and in recent years we’ve also

option and in recent years we’ve also

option and in recent years we’ve also learned that Mars has a lot of water on

learned that Mars has a lot of water on

learned that Mars has a lot of water on the polar caps but also underneath the

the polar caps but also underneath the

the polar caps but also underneath the surface so another marvelous solution I

surface so another marvelous solution I

surface so another marvelous solution I love this one is to dig up the water and

love this one is to dig up the water and

love this one is to dig up the water and melt it and shape into an ice house and

melt it and shape into an ice house and

melt it and shape into an ice house and the benefit is not just it I mean it is

the benefit is not just it I mean it is

the benefit is not just it I mean it is really cool but it’s not just cool

really cool but it’s not just cool

really cool but it’s not just cool because it also it’s also a good idea

because it also it’s also a good idea

because it also it’s also a good idea because it lets in light for the plants

because it lets in light for the plants

because it lets in light for the plants that you want to grow and for the sort

that you want to grow and for the sort

that you want to grow and for the sort of daylight that we all need as humans

of daylight that we all need as humans

of daylight that we all need as humans so you know it seems like we have the

so you know it seems like we have the

so you know it seems like we have the materials on Mars we need to build a

materials on Mars we need to build a

materials on Mars we need to build a place that we can live in for years but

place that we can live in for years but

place that we can live in for years but it’s not exactly easy to build stuff on

it’s not exactly easy to build stuff on

it’s not exactly easy to build stuff on Mars because well there’s no workforce

Mars because well there’s no workforce

Mars because well there’s no workforce at least not for a while and even if

at least not for a while and even if

at least not for a while and even if there was a workforce

there was a workforce

there was a workforce can you imagine laying bricks in a very

can you imagine laying bricks in a very

can you imagine laying bricks in a very clunky spacesuit it’d be a nightmare um

clunky spacesuit it’d be a nightmare um

clunky spacesuit it’d be a nightmare um you know thirdly because of the

you know thirdly because of the

you know thirdly because of the radiation you kind of want the buildings

radiation you kind of want the buildings

radiation you kind of want the buildings to be finished before you get there so

to be finished before you get there so

to be finished before you get there so you kind of want to land up and have

you kind of want to land up and have

you kind of want to land up and have your building ready for you so with this

your building ready for you so with this

your building ready for you so with this in mind NASA launched a few innovation

in mind NASA launched a few innovation

in mind NASA launched a few innovation challenges two years ago to look at how

challenges two years ago to look at how

challenges two years ago to look at how we could use robotics on Mars to build a

we could use robotics on Mars to build a

we could use robotics on Mars to build a building and one common approach is to

building and one common approach is to

building and one common approach is to take plastic that we bring from Earth

take plastic that we bring from Earth

take plastic that we bring from Earth and fill sort of build a wall and then

and fill sort of build a wall and then

and fill sort of build a wall and then fill it with Martian sand and this works

fill it with Martian sand and this works

fill it with Martian sand and this works pretty well because you’ll need to bring

pretty well because you’ll need to bring

pretty well because you’ll need to bring bring a bit of plastic that’s quite

bring a bit of plastic that’s quite

bring a bit of plastic that’s quite lightweight and most of the bulky stuff

lightweight and most of the bulky stuff

lightweight and most of the bulky stuff you can find there so this is a good

you can find there so this is a good

you can find there so this is a good solution but the tricky thing is if you

solution but the tricky thing is if you

solution but the tricky thing is if you have one or two complicated machines and

have one or two complicated machines and

have one or two complicated machines and something goes wrong you’re stuck you

something goes wrong you’re stuck you

something goes wrong you’re stuck you can’t fix them especially if you’ve sent

can’t fix them especially if you’ve sent

can’t fix them especially if you’ve sent them before you go and a lot of stuff

them before you go and a lot of stuff

them before you go and a lot of stuff goes wrong on Mars so far half of Mars

goes wrong on Mars so far half of Mars

goes wrong on Mars so far half of Mars landings have failed so this is quite

landings have failed so this is quite

landings have failed so this is quite risky and that’s why there’s another

risky and that’s why there’s another

risky and that’s why there’s another method which is what really my favorite

method which is what really my favorite

method which is what really my favorite which is to use many many small robots

which is to use many many small robots

which is to use many many small robots that work together like insects to to

that work together like insects to to

that work together like insects to to sort of as a swarm to build something

sort of as a swarm to build something

sort of as a swarm to build something and the benefit of this is that even if

and the benefit of this is that even if

and the benefit of this is that even if half of them break that you still have

half of them break that you still have

half of them break that you still have the other half

the other half

the other half building something for you and even if

building something for you and even if

building something for you and even if it takes longer it is a solid process

it takes longer it is a solid process

it takes longer it is a solid process that that will complete and of course

that that will complete and of course

that that will complete and of course this is a very slick visualization but

this is a very slick visualization but

this is a very slick visualization but it’s actually something that people are

it’s actually something that people are

it’s actually something that people are looking at in real life as well

looking at in real life as well

looking at in real life as well so I’m sitting over there somewhere yep

so I’m sitting over there somewhere yep

so I’m sitting over there somewhere yep that’s me and I I was in Sweden for a

that’s me and I I was in Sweden for a

that’s me and I I was in Sweden for a week with a team of the architectural

week with a team of the architectural

week with a team of the architectural firm Foster and partners and

firm Foster and partners and

firm Foster and partners and we were looking at how to make these

we were looking at how to make these

we were looking at how to make these robots so we made the robots we we

robots so we made the robots we we

robots so we made the robots we we program programmed them with very basic

program programmed them with very basic

program programmed them with very basic intelligence and the real challenge was

intelligence and the real challenge was

intelligence and the real challenge was to look at how would they explore the

to look at how would they explore the

to look at how would they explore the landscape how did they share the

landscape how did they share the

landscape how did they share the knowledge with each other and how did

knowledge with each other and how did

knowledge with each other and how did they coordinate so that they can

they coordinate so that they can

they coordinate so that they can actually work together like insects and

actually work together like insects and

actually work together like insects and it was a great week so research in this

it was a great week so research in this

it was a great week so research in this field is actually accelerating and a few

field is actually accelerating and a few

field is actually accelerating and a few fuse tests at scale are being planned

fuse tests at scale are being planned

fuse tests at scale are being planned for the next few years so whether we do

for the next few years so whether we do

for the next few years so whether we do it fire 3d printers or robots working

it fire 3d printers or robots working

it fire 3d printers or robots working like a swarm have love confidence that

like a swarm have love confidence that

like a swarm have love confidence that we can actually build something on Mars

we can actually build something on Mars

we can actually build something on Mars but the the next question is can we can

but the the next question is can we can

but the the next question is can we can we power what we build because we’ll

we power what we build because we’ll

we power what we build because we’ll need a lot of power on Mars for one will

need a lot of power on Mars for one will

need a lot of power on Mars for one will need electricity to to construct the

need electricity to to construct the

need electricity to to construct the buildings you know these robots are not

buildings you know these robots are not

buildings you know these robots are not going to work for free

going to work for free

going to work for free then we’ll need no need to heat our

then we’ll need no need to heat our

then we’ll need no need to heat our buildings and we’ll need to use – we’ll

buildings and we’ll need to use – we’ll

buildings and we’ll need to use – we’ll need a lot of light to grow our food and

need a lot of light to grow our food and

need a lot of light to grow our food and power of our house so one problem is

power of our house so one problem is

power of our house so one problem is Mars has no fossil fuels unless we

Mars has no fossil fuels unless we

Mars has no fossil fuels unless we suddenly discover that they you know we

suddenly discover that they you know we

suddenly discover that they you know we had an ancient civilization but they

had an ancient civilization but they

had an ancient civilization but they have no fossil fuels and because the

have no fossil fuels and because the

have no fossil fuels and because the wind is because the atmosphere is a

wind is because the atmosphere is a

wind is because the atmosphere is a hundred times thinner than it is on

hundred times thinner than it is on

hundred times thinner than it is on earth you know despite what you see in

earth you know despite what you see in

earth you know despite what you see in the Martian of these big storms

the Martian of these big storms

the Martian of these big storms yeah them the wind is fast but it’s very

yeah them the wind is fast but it’s very

yeah them the wind is fast but it’s very thin so it doesn’t really do anything so

thin so it doesn’t really do anything so

thin so it doesn’t really do anything so you can’t rely on wind energy so really

you can’t rely on wind energy so really

you can’t rely on wind energy so really all we can do is solar so so let’s

all we can do is solar so so let’s

all we can do is solar so so let’s actually take a little example and say

actually take a little example and say

actually take a little example and say okay we have London we have Mars and

okay we have London we have Mars and

okay we have London we have Mars and it’s you know people who live in London

it’s you know people who live in London

it’s you know people who live in London don’t like the weather it’s cold in

don’t like the weather it’s cold in

don’t like the weather it’s cold in London but Mars is quite a bit colder so

London but Mars is quite a bit colder so

London but Mars is quite a bit colder so although in Mars you how you will have

although in Mars you how you will have

although in Mars you how you will have days that are sort of 25 degrees but

days that are sort of 25 degrees but

days that are sort of 25 degrees but then the nights will be minus 55 so it

then the nights will be minus 55 so it

then the nights will be minus 55 so it gets it gets really cold so you need to

gets it gets really cold so you need to

gets it gets really cold so you need to heat and even if and the amount of

heat and even if and the amount of

heat and even if and the amount of sunlight that you get because of the

sunlight that you get because of the

sunlight that you get because of the distance is about half is less than half

distance is about half is less than half

distance is about half is less than half then that is on earth so even if you

then that is on earth so even if you

then that is on earth so even if you take really efficient solar panels you

take really efficient solar panels you

take really efficient solar panels you insulate your building really well

insulate your building really well

insulate your building really well you’ll still need four to five times

you’ll still need four to five times

you’ll still need four to five times the amount of solar panels on Mars is

the amount of solar panels on Mars is

the amount of solar panels on Mars is you don’t earth for the same purpose but

you don’t earth for the same purpose but

you don’t earth for the same purpose but it can be done it’s just a question of

it can be done it’s just a question of

it can be done it’s just a question of bringing a lot of solar and the other

bringing a lot of solar and the other

bringing a lot of solar and the other idea is to use so most space missions

idea is to use so most space missions

idea is to use so most space missions have relied on nuclear power with

have relied on nuclear power with

have relied on nuclear power with plutonium and other elements that we

plutonium and other elements that we

plutonium and other elements that we bring from Earth but Mars actually has

bring from Earth but Mars actually has

bring from Earth but Mars actually has quite a lot of fuel for nuclear power as

quite a lot of fuel for nuclear power as

quite a lot of fuel for nuclear power as well both for traditional power that we

well both for traditional power that we

well both for traditional power that we have at the moment but also deuterium

have at the moment but also deuterium

have at the moment but also deuterium which is a great fuel for when you

which is a great fuel for when you

which is a great fuel for when you finally crack nuclear fusion so we can

finally crack nuclear fusion so we can

finally crack nuclear fusion so we can camp on Mars and by the looks of it we

camp on Mars and by the looks of it we

camp on Mars and by the looks of it we can settle there as well but there are

can settle there as well but there are

can settle there as well but there are many places that we have settled or that

many places that we have settled or that

many places that we have settled or that we have camped that we don’t settle like

we have camped that we don’t settle like

we have camped that we don’t settle like Mount Everest or Antarctica those are

Mount Everest or Antarctica those are

Mount Everest or Antarctica those are sort of playgrounds for the adventurous

sort of playgrounds for the adventurous

sort of playgrounds for the adventurous or for the rich or their areas for

or for the rich or their areas for

or for the rich or their areas for scientific research but they aren’t

scientific research but they aren’t

scientific research but they aren’t homes so what would it take for us to

homes so what would it take for us to

homes so what would it take for us to actually settle on Mars I was just

actually settle on Mars I was just

actually settle on Mars I was just thinking about this question I look back

thinking about this question I look back

thinking about this question I look back at history and wondered why I have

at history and wondered why I have

at history and wondered why I have humans settled in new places and the way

humans settled in new places and the way

humans settled in new places and the way I thought about it there were sort of

I thought about it there were sort of

I thought about it there were sort of three main reasons first one being

three main reasons first one being

three main reasons first one being resources very simple second fleeing

resources very simple second fleeing

resources very simple second fleeing from disaster back home and third pride

from disaster back home and third pride

from disaster back home and third pride and conquest so let’s start with the

and conquest so let’s start with the

and conquest so let’s start with the easiest one most practical resources so

easiest one most practical resources so

easiest one most practical resources so as I said Mars has low deuterium which

as I said Mars has low deuterium which

as I said Mars has low deuterium which is a great fuel for a nuclear fusion and

is a great fuel for a nuclear fusion and

is a great fuel for a nuclear fusion and it’s very expensive on earth it’s $1,000

it’s very expensive on earth it’s $1,000

it’s very expensive on earth it’s $1,000 a kilogram so even accounting for

a kilogram so even accounting for

a kilogram so even accounting for transport costs it might be worth

transport costs it might be worth

transport costs it might be worth bringing you back from Mars to earth but

bringing you back from Mars to earth but

bringing you back from Mars to earth but that’s relatively small compared to the

that’s relatively small compared to the

that’s relatively small compared to the next bit which is actually sort of in

next bit which is actually sort of in

next bit which is actually sort of in the next gold rush in in the solar

the next gold rush in in the solar

the next gold rush in in the solar system which is this asteroid mining

system which is this asteroid mining

system which is this asteroid mining so asteroids are incredibly valuable

so asteroids are incredibly valuable

so asteroids are incredibly valuable because they’re made of pure metal and

because they’re made of pure metal and

because they’re made of pure metal and not just iron or any old metal it’s like

not just iron or any old metal it’s like

not just iron or any old metal it’s like metals like platinum and titanium

metals like platinum and titanium

metals like platinum and titanium and they said because they’re so

and they said because they’re so

and they said because they’re so concentrated the relatively easy to mind

concentrated the relatively easy to mind

concentrated the relatively easy to mind once you get there but the there’s the

once you get there but the there’s the

once you get there but the there’s the the asteroid belt which is between Mars

the asteroid belt which is between Mars

the asteroid belt which is between Mars and Jupiter is estimated to be worth

and Jupiter is estimated to be worth

and Jupiter is estimated to be worth enough to make everyone every single

enough to make everyone every single

enough to make everyone every single person on earth a billionaire a hundred

person on earth a billionaire a hundred

person on earth a billionaire a hundred times over

times over

times over so there’s serious money in the asteroid

so there’s serious money in the asteroid

so there’s serious money in the asteroid belt which is why you know assuming that

belt which is why you know assuming that

belt which is why you know assuming that this work won’t be fully automated why

this work won’t be fully automated why

this work won’t be fully automated why our first settlement on Mars might well

our first settlement on Mars might well

our first settlement on Mars might well be financially driven because Marc Mars

be financially driven because Marc Mars

be financially driven because Marc Mars could be a great outpost for this kind

could be a great outpost for this kind

could be a great outpost for this kind of work so that’s the that’s the

of work so that’s the that’s the

of work so that’s the that’s the resources bit and the next bit is next

resources bit and the next bit is next

resources bit and the next bit is next option to settle on Mars would be

option to settle on Mars would be

option to settle on Mars would be fleeing from disaster back home but I’m

fleeing from disaster back home but I’m

fleeing from disaster back home but I’m actually quite cynical about this one

actually quite cynical about this one

actually quite cynical about this one because you know Mars doesn’t have much

because you know Mars doesn’t have much

because you know Mars doesn’t have much of an atmosphere its climate is worse

of an atmosphere its climate is worse

of an atmosphere its climate is worse than the UK the you know it’s not easy

than the UK the you know it’s not easy

than the UK the you know it’s not easy to settle there or to make life

to settle there or to make life

to settle there or to make life sustainable so Mars is not a backup

sustainable so Mars is not a backup

sustainable so Mars is not a backup earth even if we get hit by an asteroid

earth even if we get hit by an asteroid

earth even if we get hit by an asteroid engaging nuclear warfare or mess up

engaging nuclear warfare or mess up

engaging nuclear warfare or mess up climate change he’ll still be easier to

climate change he’ll still be easier to

climate change he’ll still be easier to live on live on earth than on Mars and

live on live on earth than on Mars and

live on live on earth than on Mars and let’s take climate change so this is a

let’s take climate change so this is a

let’s take climate change so this is a map of Europe after all the ice on earth

map of Europe after all the ice on earth

map of Europe after all the ice on earth is melted there’s 80 meters of sea level

is melted there’s 80 meters of sea level

is melted there’s 80 meters of sea level rise and it is a catastrophe I mean I’ve

rise and it is a catastrophe I mean I’ve

rise and it is a catastrophe I mean I’ve lived in London I’m salmon Brussels and

lived in London I’m salmon Brussels and

lived in London I’m salmon Brussels and they’re all gone and it’ll bring you

they’re all gone and it’ll bring you

they’re all gone and it’ll bring you know hundreds of millions of people will

know hundreds of millions of people will

know hundreds of millions of people will need to move and when you’re looking at

need to move and when you’re looking at

need to move and when you’re looking at housing hundreds of millions of people

housing hundreds of millions of people

housing hundreds of millions of people you will try and house them at the

you will try and house them at the

you will try and house them at the easiest easiest location you won’t try

easiest easiest location you won’t try

easiest easiest location you won’t try and ship them to Mars because even after

and ship them to Mars because even after

and ship them to Mars because even after all this catastrophe Europe still has

all this catastrophe Europe still has

all this catastrophe Europe still has enough physical space to host hundreds

enough physical space to host hundreds

enough physical space to host hundreds of millions of people and it’ll be

of millions of people and it’ll be

of millions of people and it’ll be easier to host a refugee camp on the

easier to host a refugee camp on the

easier to host a refugee camp on the summit of a mountain than to bring them

summit of a mountain than to bring them

summit of a mountain than to bring them all to Mars and I also feel like if we

all to Mars and I also feel like if we

all to Mars and I also feel like if we can have the foresight to rally around

can have the foresight to rally around

can have the foresight to rally around something as complex and expensive and

something as complex and expensive and

something as complex and expensive and fundamentally life-changing as setting

fundamentally life-changing as setting

fundamentally life-changing as setting up a new planet

up a new planet

up a new planet for to live on then we might as well

for to live on then we might as well

for to live on then we might as well take extreme measures to curtail climate

take extreme measures to curtail climate

take extreme measures to curtail climate change and save what’s left of Earth so

change and save what’s left of Earth so

change and save what’s left of Earth so I don’t buy this back at birth one the

I don’t buy this back at birth one the

I don’t buy this back at birth one the next reason for settling there might

next reason for settling there might

next reason for settling there might well be pride and conquest so

well be pride and conquest so

well be pride and conquest so historically this this has a bad

historically this this has a bad

historically this this has a bad connotation because it’s associated with

connotation because it’s associated with

connotation because it’s associated with colonialism destruction bloodshed but

colonialism destruction bloodshed but

colonialism destruction bloodshed but Mars will be different because it

Mars will be different because it

Mars will be different because it doesn’t have an indigenous population

doesn’t have an indigenous population

doesn’t have an indigenous population there is no virgin ecosystem for us to

there is no virgin ecosystem for us to

there is no virgin ecosystem for us to destroy so settling on Mars would be a

destroy so settling on Mars would be a

destroy so settling on Mars would be a victimless endeavor and you know I would

victimless endeavor and you know I would

victimless endeavor and you know I would prefer countries to compete over

prefer countries to compete over

prefer countries to compete over something in space then compete over

something in space then compete over

something in space then compete over power here on earth and cause conflict

power here on earth and cause conflict

power here on earth and cause conflict here so I’d prefer us to return to a

here so I’d prefer us to return to a

here so I’d prefer us to return to a space or a space race where countries

space or a space race where countries

space or a space race where countries competed over a piece of rock and gained

competed over a piece of rock and gained

competed over a piece of rock and gained peace and scientific progress in return

peace and scientific progress in return

peace and scientific progress in return it sounds like a good deal to me so

it sounds like a good deal to me so

it sounds like a good deal to me so because that that is another thing to

because that that is another thing to

because that that is another thing to take into account that we will gain from

take into account that we will gain from

take into account that we will gain from all this settlement research so even the

all this settlement research so even the

all this settlement research so even the research that going off that’s going on

research that going off that’s going on

research that going off that’s going on at the moment into agriculture on Mars

at the moment into agriculture on Mars

at the moment into agriculture on Mars is benefiting food system production

is benefiting food system production

is benefiting food system production here on earth and these advanced

here on earth and these advanced

here on earth and these advanced construction methods that will likely

construction methods that will likely

construction methods that will likely pay off first on Mars will hopefully be

pay off first on Mars will hopefully be

pay off first on Mars will hopefully be used here on earth as well so there are

used here on earth as well so there are

used here on earth as well so there are very many reasons that we might go to

very many reasons that we might go to

very many reasons that we might go to Mars and I wish I could tell the future

Mars and I wish I could tell the future

Mars and I wish I could tell the future and tell us where we’re going but if

and tell us where we’re going but if

and tell us where we’re going but if we’re going and if we feel they need to

we’re going and if we feel they need to

we’re going and if we feel they need to go then you know I’m sure we can camp

go then you know I’m sure we can camp

go then you know I’m sure we can camp there I’m sure we can settle there and

there I’m sure we can settle there and

there I’m sure we can settle there and it you know it looks like we can pay for

it you know it looks like we can pay for

it you know it looks like we can pay for it as well thank you

it as well thank you

it as well thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] you

you

you [Applause]