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Blake Ekelund

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Will we ever colonize on another planet?

There are several Earth-like planets out there, but the question is, will we ever go there and inhabit it? Please give the Star system we would most likely go to, and why that plane, and how far it is from Earth.

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Topics: Colonization future science space stars world
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  • Jason Schissel

    • +2
    Nov 30 2011: This will always depend heavily on economics. Currently, I believe it costs about $10,000/pound to boost mass into orbit. Obviously, boosting to another planet will cost more (although I'm sure you'd try to mine moons/asteroids for much of your mass).
    So, long before you see extraterrestrial colonization, you'll have to have space elevators and significant space industry.
    I also suspect you'll see a lot of oceanic colonization long before space colonization. Ocean-top or underwater dwelling is *far* more hospitable and inexpensive than extraterrestrial living.

    • Blake Ekelund

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      Nov 30 2011: You seem to be very knowledgable in this field. How would we deal with Oceanic weather? or even currents?
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    Krisztián Pintér 200+

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    TED Translator
    Nov 30 2011: ever is a long long time

    • Blake Ekelund

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      Nov 30 2011: Before the 22nd Century?
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        Krisztián Pintér 200+

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        TED Translator
        Nov 30 2011: maybe in the solar system, definitely not farther.

        btw, maybe it sounds strange, but the movie "avatar" has a somewhat realistic approach to interstellar travel (the other aspects of the movie are less apt). you can follow it up, there are resources available. quite interesting.
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        Krisztián Pintér 200+

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        TED Translator
        Dec 1 2011: gerald, just look at the timeline of some technologies. fusion: working on it for 20 years, at least 20 to go. space exploration plans: mars in 10 years, 20 years, etc. even if we assume exponential progress, the sheer magnitude of interstellar travel sets it well within the next century. one other example: energy. it is calculated that to get to alpha centaury within 10 years of travel, you need 50 years of current energy production of mankind. so just to create the fuel, we need 50 years as of now. and we don't even have the technology to start. we need some thousand tons of antimatter. today, we could produce minuscule fractions of grams per year.

        don't watch the movie. read about it: http://james-camerons-avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Interstellar_Vehicle_Venture_Star
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    Sabin Muntean 30+

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    HostAssociate
    Nov 30 2011: Well it's either that or extinction... so I'll be optimistic and say yes.
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