Nextgen 'Cola-Wars': How to Buy a Soda on Mars?

With the race to Mars heating up and sci-fi movies projecting life on other planets, it's almost inevitable to start imagining how humanity might extend its existence into deep space. So, in the spirit of the original 1985 'Cola Wars,' let's keep it simple and bring this challenge to 2025. Let's tackle an out-of-this-world question: "How do you buy a soda on Mars?"

This question sparked a lively debate among some colleagues and friends alike. It was fascinating to see that everyone had a unique opinion and was excited about their ideas. After all, there are no rules because it doesn't exist on Mars—and it seems like no one has really taken this topic to the next level since the 'Cola Wars' of 1985 when Coca-Cola and Pepsi went head to head in competing to be the first soda consumed in Space!

To my surprise, everyone had a deep knowledge of soda and just enough understanding of space travel to form some very strong opinions!

Money Matters

First things first: money. How does money work on Mars? Are there taxes for your home country? Transaction fees? How do you pay? The idea of buying a soda on Mars implies a monetary system, perhaps a new crypto coin trading on Coinbase. Moon dollars or Martian dollars—what’s it going to be? Talk about un-banking the world; Brian Armstrong could take it to the galaxy!

Manufacturing and Materials

Now that we've argued for Moon dollars and Martian dollars, the debate switches to manufacturing and materials. Everyone has their favorite soda in mind, but no one has shared their plans for flavors. Is it a machine with selections? We all seem to really like options. Are we going back to the 1985 basics of Coca-Cola versus Pepsi? Personally, I really wanted a root beer.

Packaging Challenges

Hold up, Houston, we have a problem. Martian gravity is 38% of Earth's, there's atmospheric pressure to consider, and extreme temperatures. How do we solve for packaging and the practicality of drinking this soda? It reminds me of Disney and their special round, R2D2-like soda bottles in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at their theme parks. Fun, innovative high-tech packaging might be the answer. But with carbonation behaving differently in low gravity, does this even work? Suction-based drinking? Do we even have the same vision of enjoying a soda on Mars?

Practical Considerations

We've broken it down into a list of topics with convincing arguments on all sides and some absolutely out-of-this-world ideas. We’ve tackled intergalactic trade, Martian dollars, and high-tech packaging. But one truth keeps pulling us back to the problem: have we actually figured out how to buy a soda on Mars?

The answer is no.

We are quickly reminded that the fundamental definition of drinking changes on Mars. Remember, the beverage of choice in space back in 1985 was Tang because it just worked. It was practical, easy to mix, and didn't require any special packaging. While Tang's simplicity was a hit, it doesn't quite meet our vision for soda.

Cue more lively debate, hand motions, and the inevitable "okay, wait, what about this?"

What if we inject carbonation during the sip at the right ratio for 38% gravity, considering the physiological human factors? Perfect fizz for each drink—could we finally have Soda on Mars? Judges, thoughts?

Align your Vision

Without a strong vision and executive leadership to keep the vision on track, endless competing priorities will derail your goals. Great ideas lead to innovation, and if left unchecked, they can also lead in different directions. When embarking on a first-of-its-kind idea, you need a clear vision—a north star—to hold your flight path steady and keep you moving in the right direction.

Remember, back in the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan boldly announced his vision for the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), affectionately nicknamed "Star Wars." Sure, it faced its fair share of challenges and wasn't entirely realized, but it did push the envelope of technology and led to some pretty cool missile defense systems we use today. Reagan's clear focus and leadership showed how a well-aligned vision can steer groundbreaking projects—proving that sometimes, shooting for the stars (literally) can lead to incredible innovation. So, aim high, simplify your approach, stay focused, and keep your eye on the prize!

The Cola-Wars of 2025

Look back at the space missions of the 1980s, like the space shuttle program. The shuttle was designed to be reusable and versatile, keeping things straightforward to achieve monumental tasks. For example, the first shuttle flight in 1981, Columbia's STS-1 mission, demonstrated that a relatively simple yet innovative approach could pave the way for decades of space exploration.

Similarly, we should launch a soda in a specialized Earth-designed package to Mars and prove it can be done before solving problems that don't exist yet. Knowing what comes first is crucial.

Inspiring leadership and a great team make all the difference. Just like NASA engineers who kept the shuttle program on track with clear goals and a strong vision, we can accomplish our mission by keeping it simple, aligning our vision, and executing with precision. Aim high, stay grounded, and let’s get that soda to Mars!

What's next?

If you've tried to solve this, let's hear about your ideas and revive the 'Cola Wars'. Click here to join the movement.