Who Will Own Mars – USA, China Or India?

While there is an agreement that prohibits claims to celestial bodies, the one who reaches Mars first and builds infrastructure could have de facto control

The space race has been going on for several decades and it is now advancing at an accelerated pace. Apart from the moon, the first target is Mars. SpaceX is quite close, as it seeks to start human missions to Mars by the end of this decade. Countries like China, India and Europe are also making efforts to speed up their space exploration programs. To know who will own Mars, here are some important aspects to consider.

Can anyone own Mars?

As per the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, all nations are prohibited from making claims to celestial bodies such as the Moon, Mars, etc. This agreement has been signed by 115 countries including leading nations such as the USA, Russia, China, European nations and India. With this treaty, no country can make a legal claim to a celestial body like Mars. This agreement is something similar to how nations view places like Antarctica and international waters. It helps maintain peace and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

However, the one who reaches Mars first and colonizes it can exercise de facto control. Such a country or entity will have the technology, infrastructure and human skills to dominate the planet and its resources. So, even without legal ownership, it may be possible to take de facto control of Mars. That is why nations and even several private players are in a race to reach and colonize Mars. Let us see who could potentially take de facto control of Mars.

United States - SpaceX seems to be the frontrunner in the race to colonize Mars with its Starship program. Unmanned missions to Mars are set to commence from 2026, whereas manned missions will start by 2028. Starship's massive payload capacity of 100 tons is a major advantage. Moreover, SpaceX also has technologies to produce fuel on Mars and set up a self-sustaining colony.

China - Key achievements for China include its ability to deploy an orbiter, lander and rover on Mars. China will also launch the Tianwen-3 mission in 2028, wherein samples from Mars will be brought back using two Long March 5 rockets. Another advantage for China is its growing dominance in technology and innovation.

Europe (ESA) - There are plans to launch the Rosalind Franklin rover in 2028, which will search for signs of past life. However, Europe (ESA) does not have landing capabilities on its own. It relies on NASA and others for its launch and landing systems.

Russia - Once considered a leader in space exploration, Russia seems to be trailing in the race to Mars. However, it is interesting to note that Mars 3, launched during the Soviet era, had first soft landed on Mars in 1971. Lack of adequate funds could be another challenge for Russia, especially in view of the various sanctions imposed on the country. Some experts suggest that Russia and China could potentially increase cooperation to reach the red planet.

India - Known for its low-cost space programs, India has potential for space exploration. India's Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan, has already demonstrated its capabilities. India's Mars Lander Mission is planned for 2026, which will have both an orbiter and lander.

As is evident from above, USA and SpaceX appear close to reaching Mars and colonizing it. On Earth too, the USA does not own the world, but is the primary superpower. Something similar can be possible on Mars as well. Countries like China and India also hold potential. Same is true for several private players such as Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin.