Founders Fund

2/ NASA accounts for roughly one half percent of the US budget. The global space industry accounts for less than half a percent of global GDP. If looking to redirect some tremendous resource, you've taken a wrong turn at Mars. But Mars *is* important.

3/ Each technological advance required of the Martian frontier will significantly improve human life on Earth. This has been the case of every frontier in human history, from the American New World to research on the abstract mathematical frontier that led to nuclear power.

4/ Speaking of power: As we develop new models for thrust in nuclear, ion, and antimatter, energy efficiency and production on Earth will naturally benefit. Energy costs will decrease, global prosperity will increase.

5/ Biology. Let’s start modestly: developing crops that can feed Martians with far less nitrogen will also reduce Earth reliance on environmentally-destructive fertilizer, increase yields at home, and eradicate hunger.

6/ Geoengineering. In terraforming Mars, we will take a historical leap in understanding climate. Consider Mars an essential testing ground. Next step: terraforming Earth, and conquering global warming with technology.

7/ The benefits of colonizing Mars are not only numerous, but obvious. So is the real motivation behind an indictment of such ambition rather an indictment of humanity? The question doesn’t seem to be about Mars, but people. Why are HUMANS important?