GYP’s “Voices for Mars” Global Youth Roundtable explores science, innovation, careers, and the future of human civilization
On August 26, 2026, Global Youth Philanthropy (GYP) hosted a special online conversation with Dr. Robert Zubrin, founder and president of The Mars Society and one of the world’s most influential advocates for human exploration and settlement of Mars.
The event was presented as part of the 2026 “Voices for Mars: Global Youth Roundtable” initiative under the theme “From Earth to Mars: Why It Matters for Humanity.” It was jointly organized by GYP, the GYP Chapter of The Mars Society, and the Costa Rica Chapter of The Mars Society.
Youth representatives David Wang and Manfred Xirinachs led the discussion. Ron Storie, Director of Chapters and Membership at The Mars Society, also participated and shared insights about the continued development of Mars analog research stations.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Zubrin encouraged young people to see Mars exploration not simply as a distant scientific mission, but as a powerful opportunity to advance knowledge, inspire innovation, and open a new chapter in human civilization.
Why Should Humanity Go to Mars?
Dr. Zubrin identified three major reasons for exploring Mars: science, challenge, and future development.
Scientifically, Mars is one of the most important destinations in the solar system. Billions of years ago, the planet may have had environmental conditions similar to those of early Earth. It once had liquid water, a thicker atmosphere, and conditions that may have supported life.
Studying Mars could therefore help humanity address one of its greatest scientific questions: Did life ever develop on another planet?
Dr. Zubrin explained that all known life on Earth uses DNA and RNA to store and transmit biological information. However, life elsewhere in the universe might use a different information system. Discovering evidence of an independent form of life on Mars would greatly expand our understanding of biology and the universe.
He compared the possible diversity of biological information systems to the different alphabets and writing systems used by human societies. They may look different, but each can carry complex information.
Inspiring a New Generation Through a Great Challenge
Dr. Zubrin also emphasized the importance of challenge. In his view, sending humans to Mars would be a much greater challenge than returning to the Moon—and that challenge could inspire an entire generation.
He compared this potential impact with the influence of the Apollo program. The race to the Moon inspired many young people to study science, engineering, and mathematics. Those students later contributed to major technological developments, including the growth of Silicon Valley and the modern technology economy.
A bold Mars program, he argued, could create a similar wave of interest and achievement. Even young people who never travel to Mars could be inspired to enter scientific, technical, entrepreneurial, or creative fields that benefit society on Earth.
Biotechnology and the Power of Human Inventiveness
Another important subject was biotechnology, which Dr. Zubrin described as one of the key engineering sciences of the 21st century.
Living and working on Mars would require people to develop new methods of producing food, recycling materials, maintaining healthy environments, and using limited resources efficiently. These challenges could accelerate innovations that also address problems on Earth.
Dr. Zubrin challenged the idea of a “closed future,” in which population growth must inevitably result in fewer resources for everyone. He explained that resources are not determined only by the raw materials found in nature. Human knowledge and invention transform natural materials into useful resources.
As science and technology advance, societies can discover new ways to create food, energy, transportation, medicine, and other necessities. Mars exploration could become a powerful engine for this process by presenting problems that require entirely new solutions.
The Challenges and Benefits of Mars Settlement
The discussion also addressed the difficult physical realities of living on Mars.
Mars has an atmosphere only about one percent as dense as Earth’s. People living there would need spacesuits when working outside and carefully pressurized habitats for daily life. A leak in a habitat could quickly become a serious emergency.
Radiation, extreme temperatures, distance from Earth, food production, transportation, and medical care would also create significant challenges. However, Dr. Zubrin argued that solving these problems would drive human innovation.
He compared the potential influence of Mars settlement to the historical role of the American frontier, where new conditions and practical needs contributed to technological and economic developments. In the same way, communities on Mars would be required to invent, adapt, and become increasingly self-reliant.
These inventions would not necessarily remain on Mars. New technologies developed for food production, energy efficiency, recycling, construction, medicine, and transportation could also improve life on Earth.
Mars Analog Stations as Laboratories for Exploration
Ron Storie asked Dr. Zubrin about Mars analog stations—research facilities on Earth that recreate some of the environmental and operational challenges of a human mission to Mars.
Dr. Zubrin compared the pioneering role of these analog stations to Galileo’s telescope. Just as the telescope created a new way to study the universe, Mars analog stations have introduced new methods for studying how people might live, work, conduct research, and cooperate during future planetary missions.
The Mars Society has operated two primary analog research stations for approximately 25 years. Together, they have involved more than 2,000 participants serving in approximately 350 crews.
At these stations, crew members practice scientific fieldwork, test equipment, follow mission procedures, experience isolation, and learn how small teams perform under conditions designed to resemble a Mars expedition.
Dr. Zubrin expressed hope that the success of these early stations will encourage organizations such as NASA and other institutions to build larger and more advanced facilities. Future analog stations could serve as research centers, training locations, and educational practice facilities for students and future Mars explorers.
The discussion also noted the development of additional analog projects, including a station connected to a former Titan missile silo and other facilities being planned around the world.
Mars Exploration Needs More Than Scientists and Engineers
A central message of the roundtable was that Mars exploration will require people with many different talents.
Scientists and engineers will be essential for designing spacecraft, conducting research, creating habitats, and developing life-support systems. However, Dr. Zubrin explained that successful space initiatives also require business leaders, financial professionals, educators, journalists, artists, filmmakers, public-relations specialists, and political advocates.
A company such as SpaceX, for example, requires technical expertise, but it also needs financing, management, public communication, and the ability to build support for an ambitious vision.
Culture is equally important. Books, films, visual art, journalism, and other forms of storytelling can influence how the public understands space exploration. They can help transform Mars from an abstract scientific subject into a shared human goal.
This message is particularly important for young people who are interested in space but may not plan to become engineers. There are many possible ways to contribute to the future of space exploration.
Dr. Zubrin’s Career Journey and Advice to Young People
Dr. Zubrin also shared his personal career journey. He studied mathematics and then spent seven years teaching high school science before becoming an aerospace engineer and a leading advocate for Mars exploration.
His experience demonstrated that career paths are not always direct. A person may begin in one field, gain valuable experience, and later move toward a deeper passion.
He encouraged young people to identify what genuinely inspires them and to develop the knowledge, skills, and determination needed to pursue it. Practical considerations are important, but they should not prevent students from exploring meaningful goals.
The conversation also included the story of Elon Musk’s early involvement with The Mars Society. Dr. Zubrin explained that Musk attended a Mars Society fundraising event in Silicon Valley in 2001, contributed $5,000, and later joined the organization’s board. His growing interest in Mars eventually became central to the vision behind SpaceX.
Will Mars Be Only for the Wealthy?
Manfred Xirinachs, an undergraduate studying mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace, asked about the concern that Mars travel might initially be accessible only to wealthy people.
Dr. Zubrin discussed how the expansion of private space companies could gradually reduce the cost of reaching space. Reusable rockets and, eventually, a market for used spacecraft could make transportation more affordable over time.
He predicted that future Mars settlement may not take the form of one enormous city. Instead, Mars could develop through dozens of smaller communities, each experimenting with different technologies, economic models, and forms of social organization.
Government missions may lead the first phase of human exploration, but private companies and independent settlers could play a growing role in long-term settlement.
Mars Is Not an Escape from Earth
Dr. Zubrin strongly rejected the idea that Mars should be treated as an “escape hatch” in case Earth is destroyed.
A Mars settlement would depend on Earth for many years and could not remain secure if human civilization on Earth completely collapsed. Therefore, Mars exploration should not be promoted as an alternative to protecting our home planet.
Instead, he described Mars as an opportunity to create a new branch of human civilization—one that remains connected to Earth while developing new knowledge, technologies, and cultural possibilities.
This new branch could benefit all humanity by creating inventions that make societies more productive, sustainable, and capable of addressing difficult global challenges.
When asked to summarize the meaning of Mars exploration in one sentence, Dr. Zubrin said it would:
“Open up a new world, which is going to be a tremendous engine of invention for all humanity.”
Empowering Young People to Join the Future of Exploration
The roundtable offered young participants a broad and hopeful vision of Mars exploration.
Mars is not only a destination for astronauts. It is also a subject for scientists seeking evidence of life, engineers building new systems, entrepreneurs developing new industries, educators inspiring future generations, and journalists and artists helping society understand the meaning of exploration.
By introducing young people to leaders such as Dr. Robert Zubrin, GYP’s “Voices for Mars” initiative seeks to encourage curiosity, international cooperation, scientific learning, and thoughtful discussion about humanity’s future.
The recorded conversation will be available through the GYP YouTube channel as an educational resource for students, teachers, families, and space enthusiasts worldwide.
Viewers are invited to watch the full interview, share their reflections in the comments, and subscribe to the GYP YouTube channel for more youth-led interviews, global roundtables, humanitarian stories, and educational programs.
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