Of course the *first* thing we should do, is set up a proper permanent presence on the Moon. Aside from planting the flag and saying that we did it, there is little to be gained from going to Mars ourselves (that is, aside from robotic exploration) in the near future. Anything like colonization would be prohibitively difficult, not least…
Of course the *first* thing we should do, is set up a proper permanent presence on the Moon.
Aside from planting the flag and saying that we did it, there is little to be gained from going to Mars ourselves (that is, aside from robotic exploration) in the near future. Anything like colonization would be prohibitively difficult, not least because of all the stresses that low gravity and radiation would impose on the human body. Another major problem with a human stay on Mars of any duration is the problem of terrestrial dust on planetary bodies that don't have natural erosion processes. We have already seen this problem on the Moon, and it will be major challenge for setting up a base there.
Much more doable as the first planet for us to colonize, would be Venus. Not a surface habitation, of course - but in settlements in the upper atmosphere, where temperatures and pressures would be close to Earth-like. Take a look at the concept: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kroU3SfCXE8
Of course the *first* thing we should do, is set up a proper permanent presence on the Moon.
Aside from planting the flag and saying that we did it, there is little to be gained from going to Mars ourselves (that is, aside from robotic exploration) in the near future. Anything like colonization would be prohibitively difficult, not least because of all the stresses that low gravity and radiation would impose on the human body. Another major problem with a human stay on Mars of any duration is the problem of terrestrial dust on planetary bodies that don't have natural erosion processes. We have already seen this problem on the Moon, and it will be major challenge for setting up a base there.
Much more doable as the first planet for us to colonize, would be Venus. Not a surface habitation, of course - but in settlements in the upper atmosphere, where temperatures and pressures would be close to Earth-like. Take a look at the concept: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kroU3SfCXE8
Except for the whole "clouds of sulfuric acid" thing...