With all the information we have surrounding global warming and the effects it will have on our planet, one would think we would all be collaborating towards a solution. While some action is being taken to reduce carbon emissions and put limits on deforestation, many professionals believe it will not be enough. This is why I believe funding space travel and exploration should be a top priority among lawmakers and the general population; as we could develop a plan if the atmosphere continues to deteriorate at this rate. Research of the solar system could benefit in two positive ways; either we find a solution to save our planet, or to locate a new one to live one all together. Scientists have identified several specific courses of action across both ways of thinking, and have discovered many examples of irrevocable evidence proving space exploration to be essential to our survival.
Research in this field have discovered sources of valuable minerals floating across space by way of asteroid or orbiting moon, and have determined them to be beneficial mining locations lucrative for both big businesses and our planet at the same time. As Mike Wail describes in his article “What the Next 50 Years Hold for Human Spaceflight” The precious metals hidden in asteroids or the moon’s ample water stores” (Mike Wail, 7), could take the place of those on Earth, protecting the atmosphere and countless acres of land and forest. By funding space exploration, we would be working towards better telescopes and rovers, with the capability of finding and extracting the highest quality of minerals from outer space without damaging our environment.
Of course, even with all these discoveries, the notion remains that our planet is beyond saving. In this case, scientists have created an elaborate plan to sustain human life on Mars or another nearby hospitable option. The article “What is the future of space travel?” published by Royal Museums Greenwich, states that with funding, NASA has “set the ambitious goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2024 and establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon by 2028” (10).NASA plans to have established a functioning society within the first few years of the colonization of another planet. New citizens will reach settlements by way of antimatter rockets, “space elevators”, or methane powered spacecrafts fueled with gas from Jupiter.
In his article “This is how we’ll leave Earth for good,” author Colin Stuart lists several clear-cut procedures and dilemmas reported by NASA that will surface as we begin to settle offworld. In July of 2018, a team of scientists from Arkansas received $100,000 for their 3D printed model of a sustainable living structure capable of housing thousands on Mars. If needed, robot printers would be sent to the planet to gather materials from lunar soil and “print” out the infrastructure of our new society. NASA has also constructed a plan to cultivate a surplus of agriculture and viable sources of food. Stuart explains the lack of resources NASA has to nurture livestock, and elaborates on the developing technology capable of growing vegetation such as lettuce, kale, and potatoes. A machine known as PHARMER is equipped to harvest crops such as dwarf wheat and Arabidopsis (flowering rockcress), and “Automated mini-factories known as biofoundries” (Stuart, 32) even work to create millions of new forms of plants all together, specifically designed to thrive in Mars’s lifeless environment.
Finally, NASA expanded on some of the more human aspects of creating life on a new planet. The organization explained that “The first settlers will need to draw up a legal system to maintain law and order, perhaps based on our current laws here on Earth. Jobs will need to be created and assigned to those with suitable skills, and institutions will have to be set up quickly to provide medical, educational and economic services.” (Stuart, 19). NASA addressed a number of concerns related to the construction of a new society, such as staying fit, keeping sanity, and starting families. As humans move offworld, our bodies must adapt to the changing laws of gravitational pull, something recently conceived of “space gyms” can make easier. Travelers will have to adhere to a “strict exercise plan” to counter the weakening of bones and quicken the pumping of the heart, and “starve off muscle and bone loss” as much as possible. We’ll even have to create our own “microbiomes” to support the life of microscopic bacteria that keeps us healthy.
Finally, NASA brings up moral questioning and the ethical dilemmas involved with raising a family on another planet. “It is ethical to raise a child in space?” Stuart asks, comparing the decision to bring up a child in the unknown to the risks ancient Polynesians took crossing the ocean thousands of miles to begin a new life. Stuart brings into play NASA’s look into potential risks, including higher infant mortality rates and the developmental effects of caring for a child in an environment too dangerous to be outside. Reproduction itself may even prove to be an issue, as weightlessness is space will make it difficult for sperm to direct itself, and cosmic radiation from the sun may result in an increase of infertility. There are many factors to consider, and debate circles through the scientific community as to the exact number of people that should be brought up to pioneer this society.
NASA seeks to work towards solutions to avoid these outcomes, and it is astounding to see just how far ahead they have thought to confront any issues that may come about. With additional funding, the organization can take the steps needed to prevent the coming of an inhospitable planet, or to lay the groundwork necessary for starting something new.
Sam's Blog 