About

We are in the midst of an era of rapid technological development, enabled by connectivity and data and characterised by new technological capabilities at the intersection of a range of fields. Space exploration has played a fundamental role in many of these. Studies show how the inspirational power of the Apollo era led to the commercialisation of the personal computer, the mobile phone and the internet late last century, particularly in the United States. On a practical level, two decades of human habitation of the International Space Station have led to impressive developments in solar technology, water filtration systems and LED lighting to grow food to name but a few. The ground-based and remote exploration of space has also led to massive progress in robotics, nanotechnology, automation, artificial intelligence, computing and big data. Space exploration including crewed missions to the Moon and Mars in the coming decades promise to further revolutionise our capabilities.

On the other hand, the industry enabling the massive growth in both our population and technological capability, is destabilising our planetary life-support system. Our profit-driven, consumerist culture recklessly plunders Earth’s resources, disrupting habitats, eradicating species and polluting our own supply of water, soil and air, at a rate at which the planet is no longer able to replenish. The result: climate change, unpredictable and extreme weather events, increased risk of pandemics, scarcity, inequality and conflict.

Many humans are already living in extreme conditions: 1 billion with no power; 1.6 billion inadequate shelter; 6.8 billion polluted air; 2.2 billion unsafe water; 1 billion undernourished; more than half of the world without access to basic health care services; and 3.7 billion without Internet access. This is the most urgent challenge we have ever faced, because access to reliable power, adequate shelter, clean water, nutritious food and healthcare are necessary for any human to acquire the skills to participate meaningfully in this technological era.

Curiosity-driven space exploration is something to be proud of, a celebration of our humanity and the reality in which we find ourselves. Yet the challenges we face on Earth including poverty and inequality, mean that not everyone is able to participate. The challenge is to balance ambitious goals that inspire us to dream, like the first human communities on the Moon and Mars, while simultaneously uplifting people living in harsh conditions here on Earth, and encouraging a rapidly growing population of youth to get excited about exploring and learning.

Proudly Human takes up the challenge by applying knowledge of how we will live off-world to improve standards of living for people on Earth. Towards community spirit in the extreme conditions on the Moon, Mars and beyond, as well as living in harmony with each other and the environment on Earth, we will demonstrate successful community living in some of the harshest environments on our planet. Proudly Human’s Off-World Project will promote companies developing technology for sustainability, facilitate skills development, boost research, innovation and technology towards off-grid functionality, as well as provide a vision for young people of achieving successful communities in extreme and resource-constrained environments through grit, imagination, science and technology towards a #ProudlyHuman future, whatever planet we are on.