Get in the capsule, Earthlings — we’re going to Mars. Well, at least we’re thinking about the trip even more now that the Mars Society is eyeing Seattle for a new facility.

In a recent podcast, the founder of the spacey nonprofit mentioned that our city is at the top of the list for its planned Mars Technology Institute, a research hub that would explore the feasibility of not just landing on the Red Planet but also setting up colonies. Real futuristic stuff.

Seattle’s abundance of biotech and AI ventures came up in the podcast discussion. But here are other great reasons why we’d make fantastic hosts:

There’s a whole area nearby known as the Space District which builds satellites.
You can get drinks at Life on Mars and Outer Planet Brewing.
One of our chefs once came up with a menu for Mars missions.
We’re really into rocks.