Posted on 02/19/2025 12:13:01 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
Google Robert Zubrin.
I saw him give a talk at my university in 2002. He had just written a book called "The Case for Mars."
Drones and robots yes. And a few scientists who have very brief visits. Not colonization by humans.
The first mission should be all robotic and just places a nuclear submarine size nuclear power plant on the surface, along with controls for it. Then subsequent missions of scientists will have all the pwer they need on the surface without having to transort it with them from earth. They’ll also be able to endlessly recharge batteries on the robots and other battery powered equipment.
The second mission should also be all robotic and begin to prepare an area for scientists to work from; digging a below a ground cavern where scientists will spend most of their time, protected from the harmful energies of the sun that Mars does neither an atmosphere nor magnetosphere to help minimize.
The third mission whould be robotic, where the means and methods are worked out for how oxygen will be produced for the human scientists. Not having to transport all that oxygen will save a ton of weight needed for the humans alone plus their food and water.
Maybe the fourth mission could land humans, but even then their task will be working to figure out to get water out of the meager resources of Mars.
Only subsequent missions will be able to do more than just preparations, and get down to actual human exploration.
Your comment suggests that colonization should only happen eighty generations from now. You comment is mindful of the Luddites. It was only 66 years from the Wright Brothers to the Moon.
Humanity appears to be reaching a critical mass on the Earth. Mars and Jupiter's moon, Europa, could be a relief valve.
It does not matter if the science is not ready, because it will advance as we advance into the solar system. Our science station on Mars will grow with a fortified habitat until we start calling it a village. You lack vision. Our ancestors settled the New World. We must settle space.
What state is the city of Mars located in.
155 is probably a little low
Humans invented writing systems as much as 3-4000 or more years ago. Its taken us this long to make the most of the concept.
Our tecnology today is in it’s infancy. It will take us just as long before we are more than kindergartners with it.
Mars is not habitable. Nearly zero atmosphere, little gravity, no magnetosphere, tiny tiny tiny trace level of oxygen, and tiny tiny hard to accumulate water.
To stay alive humans will always wear space suits when out in the open, and will burrow below ground to get out of the killing sun when not.
It is not due to lack of vision to admit it will be many many generations before such conditions are surmounted in any way suggesting the possibility of colonoization.
Meanwhile mostly robots and drones will do most of our exploring. They eat nothing, breathe nothing, drink nothing and can be recharged. They will be our most efficient explorers for a long time to come.
“Humanity appears to be reaching a critical mass on the Earth. “
The population control freaks have been proclaiming we are running out of resources for 200 years. Who’s the Luddite??
I was referring to humans not getting along, not some Malthusian bs.
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