Ken Hurley
It is time to explore other solar systems. Spreading out may be the only thing that saves us from ourselves. I am convinced that humans need to leave Earth… To stay, risks being annihilated. – Stephen Hawking
I was camping in Farragut State Park in Northern Idaho during the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969. We set up a long makeshift aluminum antenna to capture radio reception to hear the live broadcast. It worked, but I had to pee so I left the camp and found a tree. On my walk back, I stumbled over a tree root, fell into our antenna and brought it down at T-30 seconds to lunar touchdown. Everybody in the camp screamed, “Oh, no!! NO!!!” We scurried to reposition the antenna. Radio reception was restored in time to hear Neil Armstrong say, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." And a bit later, his famous words, “That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
I remain impressed that science and a desire to go where no one has gone before can bring humanity into something extraordinary.
Should we pursue extraterrestrial colonization? Yes. Sure. What else are we going to do? Pick up litter? We can do both.
Humans have believed for centuries that there are gods who live in the heavens. Many humans still believe there is an invisible man who lives in the sky with a supernatural ability to address your needs when asked.
The notion of space travel and humans living in space can be dated to when Johannes Kepler invented the telescope in the 17th century. Johannes was thrilled with his invention and immediately dashed off an open letter to his old pal Galileo Galilei, which was published in the Conversation with the Star Messenger (1610) that read in part, “There will certainly be no lack of human pioneers when we have mastered the art of flight. … Let us create vessels and sails adjusted to the heavenly ether, and there will be plenty of people unafraid of the empty wastes. In the meantime, we shall prepare, for the brave sky-travelers, maps of the celestial bodies. … I shall do it for the moon, you Galileo, for Jupiter.”
The Other World: Comical History of the States and Empires of the Moon by Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac (1657) is credited by Arthur C. Clark as being the first science fiction book in which a rocket to the moon is yearned for by humans. Jules Verne did his part to encourage sci-fi space lore when he published From Earth to the Moon (1865), which inspired Georges Méliès to make the film, A Trip to the Moon (1902). Then in 1903, the Wright Brothers, working in their bicycle shop, made an airplane that actually flew.
Dreams of intergalactic space settlements were all the rage in the 1950s after Walt Disney produced Man and the Moon. Let's also remember Ray Bradbury’s, The Martian Chronicles (1950). The song, Fly Me to the Moon, was written in 1954 but became associated with NASA and the Apollo missions in 1964 after Frank Sinatra and Count Basie recorded the great Quincy Jones arrangement. Then Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke presented us with apes who marveled at the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), inspired by Clarke’s 1951 short story, The Sentinel.
In 1962 at Rice University in Houston, Texas, President John Kennedy delivered his famous speech about space exploration, which in part said, "But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas? We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”
Satellites launched by NASA have provided critical data on climate change, natural disasters, and other environmental phenomena, which help us to better protect and preserve our planet. NASA's Earth science missions have shed light on the interconnectedness of the Earth's systems, demonstrating the fragility of our planet and the need for sustainable practices to ensure its future viability. NASA has also inspired generations of people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Space Camp for young students, and the Women@NASA initiative to promote diversity in STEM fields, have encouraged people from all backgrounds to pursue careers in science and engineering. Nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers is critical to ensure that the legacy of its space program will continue to inspire future generations to push the boundaries of human knowledge and exploration.
Humans settling other orbs has captured the imagination of scientists, entrepreneurs, writers, and dreamers. With rapid advancements in space exploration technology and growing concerns about the sustainability of life on Earth, the push for interplanetary colonization has regained momentum.
One of the most compelling arguments for colonizing other planets is the need to ensure the survival of the human race. Why? Fair question. It is human instinct to want to live.
Earth is vulnerable to a variety of potential threats, from natural disasters like asteroids and supervolcanoes to human-induced catastrophes such as climate change and nuclear war. By establishing colonies on other planets, we can create a Plan[et] B for humanity, ensuring that our species will continue to survive and thrive even in the face of global calamities on Earth.
Colonization of other planets could open up new opportunities for scientific discovery and exploration. In addition to advancing our knowledge of the cosmos, interplanetary colonization could also lead to the development of new technologies and industries that could benefit both space exploration and life on Earth.
The challenges of living in the harsh environments of other planets would require us to innovate and adapt, leading to breakthroughs in areas such as sustainable energy production, advanced robotics, resource management, architectural design, alternative fuel production, 3D printing, and low-gravity manufacturing, to name several. These technologies could then be applied on Earth, helping us address pressing issues like climate change and resource depletion.
Suppose we could find a planet that has gravity, water, and an atmosphere similar to Earth? Certainly not Mars. Mars is totally inhospitable to life as we know it.
Take a peek at Planet K2-18b, first discovered in 2015. Suppose K2-18b had the right stuff that could alleviate the harsh difficulties we find on other planets? The difficulty with planet K2-18b is getting there. It's 124 light years away.
As we establish colonies on other worlds, we would create new markets and industries, driving innovation, creating jobs, stimulating a burgeoning space economy. This could help to offset the economic challenges facing our planet and create a more resilient and interconnected global society fostering international cooperation and collaboration. The challenges of sending humans to live on other planets would require the combined efforts of nations around the world, bringing together people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to work towards a common goal. By working together on such a monumental task, we could bridge political divides, promote cultural exchange, and build bonds of friendship that transcend national boundaries.
The exploration and colonization of other planets could also inspire future generations and ignite a sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe. Perhaps similar to the early exploration of the “New World,” which sparked a spirit of adventure, desperation, and discovery.
Despite the many potential benefits of colonizing other planets, there are also enormous challenges and ethical concerns, which include exploitation, sovereignty, environmental considerations, resource depletion, ecosystem disruption, and cost. The cost of sending humans to colonize other planets is astronomical. Not as simple as Ralph Kramden's often repeated line, “Bang, zoom, you're going to the moon, Alice!” Space colonization requires substantial investments in technology, infrastructure, research, and political will. Additionally, the long distances involved in interplanetary travel would pose serious health risks to astronauts, including exposure to cosmic radiation and the physiological effects of extended spaceflight. A bit different from life on Earth, space is always trying to kill you. But, what about propagation in space? That's an experiment waiting to happen. Any volunteers?
The idea of colonizing other planets raises other important questions about our responsibility first on Earth and second to the space environment. We do not want to trash space as we've done to our streets and oceans. However, we should not lump all humans as if they are all careless, selfish litterbugs. Many work to pick up the trash others leave behind. So, we need to develop a Space Waste Truck to reclaim all the mess we've left in orbit.
We do have international Treaties already in place that are intended to safeguard human efforts in space. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) has several main tenets which over 100 nations have signed onto. Known as The Outer Space Treaty, or, more specifically, “Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.” The treaty is the foundation of international space law for signatory nations. The treaty presents principles for space exploration and operation including: 1) Space activities are for the benefit of all nations, and any country is free to explore orbit and beyond. 2) There is no claim for sovereignty in space; no nation can “own” space, the Moon, or any other body. 3) Weapons of mass destruction are forbidden in orbit and beyond, and the Moon, the planets, and other celestial bodies can only be used for peaceful purposes. 4) Any astronaut from any nation is an “envoy of mankind,” and signatory states must provide all possible help to astronauts when needed, including emergency landing in a foreign country or at sea. 5) Signatory states are each responsible for their space activities, including private commercial endeavors, and must provide authorization and continuing supervision. 6) Nations are responsible for damage caused by their space objects and must avoid contaminating space and celestial bodies.
The treaties also have authority over the billionaire “billionauts” private corporations – Elon, Richard, and Jeff. Are there others?
Despite the many formidable and daunting challenges, the potential benefits of pursuing interplanetary colonization outweigh the risks and difficulties.
By expanding our presence beyond Earth, or as Stephen Hawking said, “spreading out,” we can help ensure the survival of our species, advance our knowledge of the universe, stimulate technological innovation, foster international cooperation, and maybe even inspire future generations to go where no one has gone before.
Space sex, anyone?
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