The Next Prerogative for Colonization: Lunar Base or a Mars Habitat
There are many people who are in favor of immediate colonization of our solar system.
Several reasons are given for this ranging from the need to protect ourselves from nuclear annihilation (as stated by eminent scientists such as Stephen Hawking,) to creating an international cooperation environment for the various nations all across the world.
Many experts claim that a colonization effort can help the world pool its resources together which can help for peace, prosperity as well as for overall global technological advancement.
However, in order to accomplish this, first the proper strategy must be maintained for success.
Many space scientists proclaim that the best way to accomplish this would be by establishing a Lunar base.
In a way, this makes sense, since the moon has been studied completely by both manned missions as well as by probe missions.
The whole Moon surface has been mapped completely and the confirmation of the presence of water on the moon (existing as ice in the polar caps) strengthen this view.
Water is an important material, since it can be electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen separately.
Hydrogen is a needed material for fuel as well as a source of energy for heating and other needs.
On the other hand, oxygen is needed as an oxidizer for the fuel, as well as an element for breathing.
Of course, it must be said that a lunar base would not allow for much colonization, since the Lunar surface is very hostile toward human life.
The existence of vacuum conditions, as well as the unavailability of atmosphere makes Moon a difficult place to expand.
However, in retrospect, Mars would be a better place, since it has an atmosphere.
The atmosphere of Mars is less than 1 percent dense, as compared to Earth's atmosphere, but it is still enough to diffuse the light and to provide at least some sort of protection against cosmic rays and other forms of radiation.
Even though, you would still need to use a space suit to walk on Mars, you would be more protected and you would feel more at home with its soil.
It would even be possible to plant some special genetically engineered plants in an outpost, while this would be practically impossible on the Moon due to vacuum.
In addition, it must be said that the Mars gravity which is around 40 percent of Earth's gravity can be better for humans then the Moon's gravity, which has only 17 percent of Earth's gravity.
This would help in humans to adjust more easily, as exposed periods to reduced gravity can cause serious medical problems to humans.
Hence, both options need to be looked at in detail, so that the correct decision can be taken.
Both options would require billions of dollars to accomplish, but choosing the right option can allow man to start traversing around the stars in the next century.
Several reasons are given for this ranging from the need to protect ourselves from nuclear annihilation (as stated by eminent scientists such as Stephen Hawking,) to creating an international cooperation environment for the various nations all across the world.
Many experts claim that a colonization effort can help the world pool its resources together which can help for peace, prosperity as well as for overall global technological advancement.
However, in order to accomplish this, first the proper strategy must be maintained for success.
Many space scientists proclaim that the best way to accomplish this would be by establishing a Lunar base.
In a way, this makes sense, since the moon has been studied completely by both manned missions as well as by probe missions.
The whole Moon surface has been mapped completely and the confirmation of the presence of water on the moon (existing as ice in the polar caps) strengthen this view.
Water is an important material, since it can be electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen separately.
Hydrogen is a needed material for fuel as well as a source of energy for heating and other needs.
On the other hand, oxygen is needed as an oxidizer for the fuel, as well as an element for breathing.
Of course, it must be said that a lunar base would not allow for much colonization, since the Lunar surface is very hostile toward human life.
The existence of vacuum conditions, as well as the unavailability of atmosphere makes Moon a difficult place to expand.
However, in retrospect, Mars would be a better place, since it has an atmosphere.
The atmosphere of Mars is less than 1 percent dense, as compared to Earth's atmosphere, but it is still enough to diffuse the light and to provide at least some sort of protection against cosmic rays and other forms of radiation.
Even though, you would still need to use a space suit to walk on Mars, you would be more protected and you would feel more at home with its soil.
It would even be possible to plant some special genetically engineered plants in an outpost, while this would be practically impossible on the Moon due to vacuum.
In addition, it must be said that the Mars gravity which is around 40 percent of Earth's gravity can be better for humans then the Moon's gravity, which has only 17 percent of Earth's gravity.
This would help in humans to adjust more easily, as exposed periods to reduced gravity can cause serious medical problems to humans.
Hence, both options need to be looked at in detail, so that the correct decision can be taken.
Both options would require billions of dollars to accomplish, but choosing the right option can allow man to start traversing around the stars in the next century.
