We look up to the sky and imagine that our future belongs on distant planets, among celestial bodies and sophisticated robots. But many would argue that there is a far more fascinating world right here, beneath our feet. The underground is probably the last bastion for real exploration on earth. It’s not just the place where sewage, subways and rodents run wild, it is also where we extract the minerals that shape and power our electronic devices. It is the space where we bury our nuclear waste and deposit submarine cables that make fast communication between continents possible. It is the place where governments and companies store their most secret codes, papers and even genetic materials. And if we believe the ‘preppers’ but also a growing number of urban planners, it might be where we will have to live when extreme weather conditions make our life on the surface near unbearable. So, is the future lying beneath our feet ?