ESA Predicts Humans Living in ‘Space Oases’ on Mars by 2040
The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled its Technology 2040 Vision, forecasting human settlements on the Moon, Mars, and beyond within the next two decades. The plan hinges on autonomous, self-sustaining habitats dubbed "space oases," designed for extended stays through circular resource management.
ESA Director-General Josef Aschbacher frames the document as a rallying cry for a "resilient European presence" in DEEP space. The agency anticipates rapid technological evolution will enable these off-world colonies, marking a paradigm shift from current six-month mission limits.