The case for manned colonization of mars has weakened rather than strengthened in the short run because literally nothing we can justify doing on mars for purposes other than stunts can not be done better, faster, and cheaper with robotics than with men in suits.
The case for longer term (within 300 years) massed human colonization of mars is also in my opinion weak. While earth may be crowded and experiencing environmental degradiation, the cost of raising significant portions of mars to the standard of habitability on even the most extremely degraded parts of the earth would still be many orders of magnitude higher than arresting some of the worst degradations on earth. Perhaps a few people with wealth and inclination of hermits, contrarians, adventure travelers can make a go of temporary residency on mars. But colonization? No.
Basically, the sound fundamental rationale for manned space travel really no longer encompass space exploration. Only discretionary stunt, or true migration, remains as likely reasons for manned space travel.
The case for longer term (within 300 years) massed human colonization of mars is also in my opinion weak. While earth may be crowded and experiencing environmental degradiation, the cost of raising significant portions of mars to the standard of habitability on even the most extremely degraded parts of the earth would still be many orders of magnitude higher than arresting some of the worst degradations on earth. Perhaps a few people with wealth and inclination of hermits, contrarians, adventure travelers can make a go of temporary residency on mars. But colonization? No.
Basically, the sound fundamental rationale for manned space travel really no longer encompass space exploration. Only discretionary stunt, or true migration, remains as likely reasons for manned space travel.
