The Urgent Need for Occupational Therapy in the Colonization of Mars: A Policy and Advocacy Perspective

 

Language my lawyer told me to insert:

“The following is a satirical commentary intended to critique scope creep in occupational therapy scholarship.”

I recently saw an article on the role of occupational therapy in global nuclear disarmament. Inspired by this expansion of our scope into the realm of geopolitics, I thought I would make my own contribution to these kinds of important and clinically relevant proclamations.



Abstract

The looming challenge of interplanetary colonization poses an existential opportunity for humanity and directly impacts the ability of individuals and communities to engage in meaningful occupation beyond Earth. This article argues that occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants have a critical role to play in preparing for Mars colonization, and that such efforts align with both our ethical responsibilities and scope of practice. By anticipating the profound occupational disruptions of space travel and Martian settlement, occupational therapy can position itself as a leader in promoting health, adaptation, and participation in extraterrestrial environments.

Introduction

As Earth’s environmental and political crises mount, attention has increasingly turned toward Mars as the next frontier for human survival (Musk, 2024). Colonization of Mars is not merely a technological challenge but a deeply occupational one. How will humans sleep, cook, play, worship, and pursue leisure in a low-gravity, high-radiation environment? These questions are fundamentally within the purview of occupational therapy.

OT is committed to fostering health and well-being through meaningful occupation (AOTA, whenever). If occupational therapists are serious about their ethical duty to promote adaptation and participation, then we must prepare now for the red planet.

The Relevance of OT to Martian Colonization

  • Self-Care in Space: Bathing and toileting routines are already disrupted in microgravity. On Mars, reduced water availability and environmental hazards will complicate these occupations further. OTs must design adaptive equipment and routines that preserve dignity.

  • Productivity and Work: Constructing habitats, tending hydroponic farms, and maintaining life-support systems will require task analysis and energy conservation strategies. OT frameworks can ensure efficiency and prevent occupational imbalance in Martian labor.

  • Leisure and Play: Without gravity, soccer and basketball will be meaningless in their current forms. OTs must innovate new games and social occupations to preserve community cohesion.

  • Environmental Contexts: Martian dust storms, limited daylight, and confined living quarters create unique sensory environments. OTs are uniquely qualified to mitigate sensory deprivation and overstimulation in these contexts.

Ethical Imperatives

The AOTA Code of Ethics emphasizes altruism, equality, and justice. Should these not extend beyond Earth? Equality demands that colonization does not privilege only the wealthy or able-bodied. Justice requires that occupational therapy safeguard the rights of all humans (and potentially non-human life forms) to engage in meaningful interplanetary occupation.

Call to Action

Occupational therapists can take immediate steps to prepare for this existential shift:

  1. Public Education: Host community workshops on “Occupations in Space,” raising awareness about the psychosocial challenges of extraterrestrial living.

  2. Professional Advocacy: Align with organizations such as SpaceX and NASA to advocate for inclusion of occupational therapy in astronaut training.

  3. Direct Political Engagement: Urge policymakers to embed occupational therapy into interplanetary treaties, ensuring equitable access to Martian resources and opportunities for occupation. Yes, I said equitable.

Conclusion

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (2024) has already warned that “our destiny may lie beyond Earth.” If occupational therapy is to remain relevant, it must embrace this challenge. By positioning ourselves at the forefront of Mars colonization, occupational therapists will uphold their responsibility to promote health and participation - not just for Earth-bound populations, but for humanity’s future among the stars.

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A Reflective Note

Of course, Mars colonization is not a genuine priority for occupational therapy , at least not in the foreseeable future. My point here is that when OT scholarship drifts into global, cosmic, or highly speculative domains without a clear connection to practice, we risk undermining our credibility.

Occupational therapy is strongest when it demonstrates relevance to the pressing challenges people actually face in their daily lives . We need to focus on rehabilitation, participation, adaptation, design, and health. Stretching our ethical language to cover everything from nuclear disarmament to space colonization might feel expansive, but it risks looking like we have jumped the shark - remember Fonzie on water skis?

All of this is entertaining, but not sustainable for building respect as a serious health profession.

And the biggest irony: Occupational therapists have far more plausible contributions to extraterrestrial living and the space program than to nuclear disarmament.

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