New Earths? - Living In Space

Many people dream of someday living in space or on another planet. As our planet becomes more crowded and polluted and our natural resources run out, finding other homes becomes important (of course we should still take care of this one).

Scientists are looking at three possibilities for living in space: a space station, the Moon, and Mars. Even a large space station would only house a few hundred people, but it is a good place to start. There we can get an idea of what is required to live in space. We can also use it as a launching pad for further travel and exploration of space. Because it requires less fuel to lift off from a platform in space (because of the lower escape velocity) this would make it much cheaper to take people and supplies to the Moon or Mars. Of course you would first have to get people and supplies to the space station. You can check this site for more Space Settlement Proposals.

The moon is the closest and most likely place for us to live. We have already been there (see history) and it would be much cheaper than trying to colonize Mars. Scientists also think there is water on the moon. This is important because it is too expensive to take all the water that would be needed to support life (between $2,000 and $20,000 per kilogram). Water (which is probably buried ice) would be necessary for drinking and growing food. It could also be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen and used as propellant to launch other space ships to Mars or for exploration. Also, any ships launched from the moon could be bigger and carry more supplies because of the lower gravity of the moon (see escape velocity). Some people are already trying to colonize the moon. The Artemis Project, for example, is a private venture to establish a permanent, self-supporting community on the Moon. This site has more Moon Proposals.

Scientists think that Mars also has water (really it's ice). It would be even more expensive to bring water to Mars. We don't already live on Mars because the atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide and cannot support life. It is also very cold, but we have many robots that can scoop up dirt and turn it into green-house gases that keep heat in. The average temperature on Mars is -87°. In some areas on the planet it is -195°. Scientists think that a long time ago Mars might have been warmer. But today it is a cold dessert. Projects are already underway to colonize Mars. RedColony.com has tons of information on what it would take to colonize the red planet. This site has more Mars Proposals.

Teachers: check Reaching for the Red Planet for a project on planning a Mars colony

Source: NASA Orbital Space Settlements

Images: courtesy NASA Orbital Space Settlements (not copyrighted)