Mars 2035: Will the First Building Be a Restaurant, a Church, or a Military Base?

Congratulations! It's 2035, and humanity has finally done it. We've put humans on Mars. We're officially a multi-planetary species.

Now comes the fun part: What the hell do we do there?

History suggests we'll probably fight over it. But maybe — just maybe — we'll build a taco stand first. Let's explore both possibilities.

The Current Status

SpaceX says 2029 for first humans. NASA says 2030s. China says 2033. Let's call it 2032-2035 to be safe.

But getting there is the easy part. Staying there is where it gets interesting.

Scenario 1: Mars as Scientific Paradise 🔬

This is what space agencies want you to believe. And honestly? It could happen. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says no nation can claim celestial bodies. Mars belongs to everyone.

Problems with this scenario:

• The Outer Space Treaty was written before private companies could reach space
• It doesn't cover resource extraction clearly
• Humans have never discovered valuable land and NOT fought over it

Scenario 2: Mars as Corporate Colony 🏢

Elon Musk has literally said he doesn't think Earth laws should apply on Mars. His Starlink terms of service already say Mars will be self-governing.

Translation: If you go to Mars with SpaceX, you're not subject to any Earth country's laws. What could possibly go wrong?

Scenario 3: Mars as Geopolitical Battleground ⚔️

Consider: China, US, and SpaceX all plan Mars missions within the same decade. What happens when:

• China lands 50 km from a SpaceX base and starts mining?
• SpaceX "claims" the best landing sites through first-mover advantage?
• A US astronaut on a Chinese mission defects? (Or vice versa?)
• Someone discovers something actually valuable (water ice, rare minerals)?

The history of exploration on Earth suggests: First come scientists, then settlers, then soldiers.

The Real Questions Nobody's Asking

1. Who makes the laws?

If you commit a crime on Mars, who arrests you? Which court tries you? What prison do you go to? (Sending someone back to Earth takes 6+ months and costs billions.)

2. What about reproduction?

We don't know if humans can have healthy babies in 38% Earth gravity. If they can't, Mars colonization has an expiration date. If they can... "Martians" become a real thing.

3. Who owns the resources?

The 2015 US Space Act says American companies can own resources they extract. But not the land itself. This legal gray area is going to cause problems.

4. Can Mars survive us?

We've polluted one planet pretty badly. Do we have the right to do it to another? Is there Martian life we might destroy? (Probably not, but we don't know for sure.)

My Prediction: The Realistic Timeline

What Should YOU Do About This?

Probably nothing. You're not going to Mars. (Sorry.)

But if you're curious:

• Learn about space law. It's going to be a hot legal field.
• Watch SpaceX closely. They're the most likely first movers.
• Consider aerospace careers. The industry is booming.
• Don't sell your Earth house. Mars will suck for at least 50 years.

Final Thoughts

Humans going to Mars is inevitable. It's the most exciting thing our species has attempted since... well, ever.

But let's not kid ourselves: we're bringing all our baggage with us. The same species that can't agree on climate change, borders, or whether pineapple belongs on pizza is about to try governing another planet.

I predict the first permanent Mars structure will be... a supply depot. The second will be a lab. The third will be a bar. (Humans need alcohol to survive anywhere.) And the fourth will be whatever the UN decides after 47 committee meetings.

Either way, it's going to be a wild ride. See you at the Mars Starbucks in 2045. ☕🚀