The Martian Papers: Defining Mars for the purposes of a Martian constitution-by James Gilley-Hannah Earnshaw

In this paper we address the question of how a Martian state should be defined-as part of the Martian Papers project-a series of accessible papers on the problems of Martian governance to be solved in preparation for the human settlement of Mars. Humans on Mars will depend on more than just the Martian surface to thrive and achieve the same benefits of modern life that are accessible to humans dwelling on Earth. By drawing parallels with the implicit global sovereignty of Earth over objects and regions in the Earth-Moon-Sun system-we argue for the inclusion of analogous regions in the political definition of Mars-defining a Martian Zone of Sovereignty such that the entire Mars-Sun system may be governed by-and for the benefit of-the people who will one day make Mars their home.