Going Off World EP 6: Mars...Soonish? with Dr Kelly and Zach Weinersmith

Going Off World: Moon, Mars, Venus, and beyond

Kelly and Zach Wienersmith bring their scientific rigor and trademark humor to the Offworld Podcast, challenging our assumptions about Mars colonization while offering a thought-provoking roadmap for humanity's spacefaring future.
The husband-wife team behind "A City on Mars" and the New York Times bestseller "Soonish" discuss how their research journey began with optimism about imminent space settlements but evolved into a pragmatic assessment of the monumental challenges we still face. From Kelly's expertise as a parasitologist to Zach's perspective as a science cartoonist, they provide a uniquely accessible window into complex questions about our cosmic future.
"The data we have from 50 years of astronauts orbiting Earth is largely irrelevant to life on Mars," Kelly explains, highlighting how the lack of medical data on reproduction in space, effects of prolonged radiation exposure, and Mars' 40% gravity create significant unknowns. Meanwhile, Zach brings sobering perspective to the ecological challenges: "Biosphere 2 had eight people in three acres. We're talking about supporting a million people on Mars, and we barely have the science for eight."
• Kelly's background as a parasitologist studying how organisms affect behavior provides unique perspective on biological challenges
• Zach brings his experience as creator of Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal comics to make complex science accessible
• Their previous book "Soonish" explored emerging technologies including space access and asteroid mining
• Medical data from space stations may not apply to Mars conditions due to different gravity levels and radiation exposure
• 40% Martian gravity might not prevent the health issues seen in zero gravity environments
• Human reproduction in space remains largely unstudied but critical for long-term settlements
• Closed-loop ecosystems like Biosphere 2 encountered significant problems with just eight people
• Creating self-sustaining habitats for larger populations requires massive scientific advancements
• Space law development is crucial now as it will shape humanity's cosmic activities for centuries
• Technical challenges must be addressed alongside social, political and biological considerations
• Mars settlement requires interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, engineers, artists, and legal experts
Find Kelly and Zach's work at wienersmith.com, where you can also join their Discord community. Kelly co-hosts the podcast "Daniel and Kelly's Extraordinary Universe" twice weekly, and Zach continues creating SMBC comics available on his website and social platforms.
🎧 Listen Now On:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-off-world-moon-mars-venus-and-beyond/id1737881627

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6WjqRL2AZnLWO7Z3DTDjS1?si=d47c055cca1e4df7

Web: https://goingoffworld.buzzsprout.com/

Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Chapters

1. Welcome to Offworld Podcast (00:00:00)

2. Meet Kelly and Zach Wienersmith (00:01:44)

3. Creating "Soonish" and Space Colonization (00:08:00)

4. Writing Books as a Couple (00:15:44)

5. Challenges of Living on Mars (00:26:55)

6. Closed Loop Systems and Biospheres (00:34:20)

7. Parasitology and Science Communication (00:40:44)

8. Voyager's Golden Record and Future Tech (00:48:45)

9. Space Law and Future Innovation (00:55:10)

10. Closing Thoughts and Contact Information (01:00:12)