Terraforming [sort of]: why the Moon is a better target than Mars

bigthink.com ^

[BenLurkin]

"Lava tubes, found on Earth, the Moon, and Mars, but expected to be on many planets, provide underground shelter from harsh surface conditions. With the appropriate infrastructure, the first Martian settlements might benefit from using such a location instead of surface-dwelling. (Credit: Dave Bunnell/Under Earth Images)

[monkeyshine]

Well, in about 500 million years, the moon and earth will be closer to the sun than Mercury is now, as it expands into a red star. So we probably need to start working on moving - maybe to one of the moons of Jupiter. Use the moon to launch to Mars, then from Mars to Jupiter.

[Red Badger]

But the Moon is a Harsh Mistress.............................

[Ikeon]

just bring lots of “flex seal” start painting the insides of those tubes, = instant air tight shelter

[Windcatcher]

The red giant phase won’t happen that soon. There’s still about 4 billion years to go before that. That said, in about a billion years the Sun will be about 10% more luminous than it is now as it burns more hydrogen and the Earth will be unlivable anyway.

[marron]

Big advantage is doing your beta testing three days from home. Much easier to get stuff you forgot to bring.

[BenLurkin]

tanstaafl

[corkoman]

Prolly not the best idea to do a lot of moon mining. Mars ok but should leave the mass of the moon as constant as possible.

[Lurker]

Then we can Sail Beyond The Sunset.

Maybe on a Friday.

L

[Windcatcher]

I would advocate mining the Moon for the materials to build up heavy industry on the Moon. Being able to manufacture and launch spacecraft from the Moon would be a game-changer.

[BradyLS]

Great reference!

[Red Badger]

I Will Fear no Evil, as long as there is Time Enough for Love.............

[Carl Vehse]

In about 20 million years, there will likely be a mass-extinction asteroid hit the earth.

Better check your homeowner's insurance policy.

[Stosh]

Whether its Mars or the moon I’ve always thought these people into terraforming were folks who’d just read too much Douglas Adams. Maybe when somebody has made the Sahara Desert or the interior of Australia into something reasonably habitable I’ll take them seriously, but until then just from the stand point of logistics doing it somewhere extraterrestrial looks to me like a giant exercise in wishful thinking.

[Professional Engineer]

TANSTAAFL

[monkeyshine]

Besides which, the moon is hollow inside making it unsuitable for terraforming. It was built and placed into earth's orbit as a rest stop and forward surveillance base for intergalactic travelers.

[BiteYourSelf]

But will we be Between two Planets?🤔

[Lurker]

Will they have Starship Troopers?

L

[Red Badger]

they may be Orphans of the Sky... or Farmer in the Sky...........

[Lurker]

Name the first base Farnham’s Freehold.

L