2. The biggest threat humans pose to other worlds is what we … These discoveries could then help to improve life on our own planet as we seek out others to explore. Is it a good idea? It could thrive. Although the US has brought back hundreds of pounds of rocks from the moon without litigation, there would be a greater fight in grabbing resources that are in the hundreds of trillions of dollars. One reason is that other worlds contain vast amounts of metals and other natural resources and potential sources of energy, and provide opportunities for "potentially profit-making industries" [source: National … 1. According to information provided by the Goddard Space Flight Center, there are over 2,200 active satellites in orbit around Earth right now. ]�n٘[ޝJb"�2{{K�9A�ί_�W �W������ӄ�h�B���Qoa�5���6ůS ��z�H��w�����C��Sf�U��\�LRN|v���pm�]��2H8������3���m1�9�~Q�e�Ӌ��A3ը �@֩��=F� @��i� Mars used to be a warm and wet planet like Earth, when Mars had a much thicker atmosphere than it does today. This technology has allowed us to explore our solar system from right here at home. Using the US Space Shuttle program as an example, the total mass of all propellants was over 3.8 million pounds. And while there were a lot of exciting technical details, some major issues I anticipated were not covered. <> Weighing the costs and benefits is more of a philosopher's task … 2. In this case the Drake Equation implies humans are not alone in the universe, and therefore our existence is far less special, lowering the … Exploring space is a costly venture. There are plans in the works to put boots on Mars in this generation. Fossil fuels are refined to create these fuels, used in the manufacturing processes to create the equipment or vehicles, and this creates an environmental cost which must be paid at some point. If those profits can be funneled toward a mutual good, then humanity can do more than just survive. 5. Scientific secrets The ability to explore and research mars can teach us a great deal and lead to life changing discoveries. Here are some of the key points to think about when looking at this debate. I get that O'Neill cylinders and other similar megastructures are leagues more efficient, but, they're also kind of boring if that's all there is. Asteroids or planets … But the challenges of colonizing space—as opposed to just visiting—are vastly greater than any we’ve faced as a species. Many arguments have been made for and against space colonization. Weighing the costs and benefits is more of a philosopher's task … Humans are currently confined to a single planet and facilities that orbit it. We must develop closed-loop support systems. It takes nine months just to get to Mars, then you have to wait a few months for the planets to realign and then another nine months to come back. 12 Intense Pros and Cons of Colonizing Mars. Steve Lee Anthony Johansen. No agreements are in place for rich resources that may exist in space. To Understand Earth: Mars is the planet in our solar system that is most similar to Earth. Small spacecraft, such as Voyager 1, have traveled more than 138 AU from our planet since launching, with the goal of discovering what interstellar space may have in store. The amount of materials in a single asteroid could be more than $100 billion. Exploring space is also inherently dangerous. Potential Benefits of colonizing Mars: Firstly, there are many interesting similarities between Earth and Mars that make it a viable option for colonization. Should something happen that changes the environment of the planet, it would have the potential of wiping out the entire human species. The expansion into space also offers up a wealth of privatized opportunities, such as access to energy and other interplanetary resources. Even though floating colonies would be removed from the extreme heat and pressure of the surface, there would still be the danger of the sulfuric acid rain. If a catastrophe occurs on one planet, humanity will not be gone for good because we’ve got a backup on another planet. We’ve put boots on the moon. Thus colonization and exploration are necessary for humans to advance as finding problems and coming up with solutions is the best way to advance. Ocean colonies are safer. Other consequences and benefits remain unknown but more will be discovered once humans can set foot on this planet and do necessary research. Pros: -Asteroids, moons and planets are full of resources which could be utilized. There is something comforting about the idea that humans are not alone in the universe as a species. Summary of Adam Morton Should we Colonize Other Planets? 1. The total cost of the space shuttle program, when adjusted for inflation, was $196 billion. Space exploration gives us the chance to begin colonizing other locations, giving us hope that our species can survive. The scientific benefits of a long-term presence, on the other hand, are virtually unlimited, and the risks associated with an immediate return would be eliminated, raising the possibility of success (Schulze-Makuch & Davies, 2010). There are high fuel costs required to launch anything into orbit. 4. As you can imagine, colonizing a planet like Venus also comes with a huge amount of challenges. Instead, let us note the benefits that can come from interplanetary colonization, even for those of us who decide to stay on the Earth’s surface. �l����V�� �jy!�:��T��n�ISi�qQUa��K�Ŗ�(�kE,��#�ݜ�\�"��1.��q� ܞ�Ȅ�$�ij��0h0`���T0B�%B�_���J�u;�j����R@aF�{�K����ף��̍W�p'QeŢ&�L��W�Ţ�齔�pF���� ��m�#F�LK��(�[)R���[:+γ�e%X�R�G�^�\71�b�W����a�P �� 6�pe Planetary Resources has evaluated an asteroid called “Davida” to be worth $100 trillion or more. 5. As we all know, we still rely on fossil fuels for our production processes on a global scale. However, fossil fuels are … It is called the International Telecommunication Union and it has been in place since the 1960s. I’m sure he has his motives. Next stop, Mars. As human beings, the only home we have ever known is planet Earth. Space exploration gives us the chance to begin colonizing other locations, giving us hope that our species can survive. Mars and Earth have very similar lengths of days. This treaty forbids placing weapons of mass destruction into orbit, installing them on the moon, or any other location in space. Each mission that was flown came at a cost of $450 million. A day on Mars is 24 hours and 39 minutes, which means that organisms from earth would find it similar. Not only is space a vacuum environment that does not support human life without protection, but we do not know what may be lying in wait for us out there. We are consuming fossil fuels at a faster rate than the Earth can replace them, but as our technologies improve we’ll be able to move away from those fossil fuels and utilize cleaner, more efficient, more easily replenished fuel sources. Ensuring the survival of our species. The political structures of managing space exploration are already in place. Offers beyond on our own planet as we seek out others to explore evergrowing population that we don t... It has been in place since the 1960s installing them on the moon or. 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