Mars Day: Activism for Outer Space

We must fight for freedom in space to achieve the same on Earth.

The likelihood that humans will colonize Mars and the Moon in our lifetime is no longer science fiction. But what kind of societies will these off-world colonies be: corporate or nonprofit, democratic or authoritarian, enslaved or free? Will the Universal Declaration of Human Rights apply equally to China’s lunar colony and a SpaceX corporate outpost on Mars?

While governments and corporations are solving the technical problems of space colonization, activists are needed to bring attention to the profound moral and political challenges of becoming a multi-planet civilization.

Unless we demand a resolution of these questions now—and push for a planetary consensus on the extraterrestrial rights of humans—it is all too likely that the worst kinds of militaristic societies will proliferate in outer space.

There are already troubling signs that space culture worldwide is tending toward favoring technocratic totalitarianism. For example, at the British Interplanetary Society’s conference on extraterrestrial liberty, hosted a few years ago, some scientists argued that resource scarcity will mean that space colonies must begin as military dictatorships with centralized economies and little freedom of dissent.

To prevent the dystopian expansion of the worst of Earth’s political culture into space, activists should begin building a network of scientists, futurists, aspiring astronauts and protesters who are dedicated to influencing space research and culture by fighting for an update to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. The ultimate goal is to guarantee that all space colonies will be free societies with explicit protection for human rights.

Most activists are not accustomed to orienting toward the stars. A struggle over the values of outer space is not part of most movement discourses. To spread the word among activists, I propose we begin to celebrate Mars Day: a recurring global event where activists demand a liberatory vision of space settlement.

Mars Day will be held when the Earth and Mars are closest together: every two years and two months. Beyond being a day of symbolic importance, this day is also technologically significant as the approximate time when launches are made from Earth to Mars.

The next Mars Day is Jan. 12, 2025.

In ancient times, astronomers and philosophers looked to the rotation of the heavens as a model for harmony in the city and soul. Today we must fight for freedom in space to achieve the same on Earth.