Part 9/12:
Musk is remarkably optimistic, believing that in 20 years, humanity could have a million people on Mars. This astonishing goal hinges on overcoming the formidable challenges of space manufacturing, food production, and life support systems—such as creating domes for breathable air and developing the infrastructure for industry, mining, and agriculture.
He explains that self-sufficiency on Mars is the critical civilizational threshold. A city capable of growing and prospering independently, despite supply chain disruptions, would be a hard insurance policy against planetary catastrophe. Musk envisions a future where Mars becomes a thriving, independent civilization.