Viability of Colonising planets

chasbeen

I just saw a further update on Mars but this was not from the usual source of the Mars landers. It was from an orbitor. There has actually been observation of changing liquid like flows on the surface. The most viable explanation is evaporating surface water because of the changing flow like shapes that keep changing.

If there is water on Mars why don't we/they start serious efforts to build space stations on the surface? What they could use is the stuff they are expanding the international space station with.

I wonder when the first birth on Mars will occur 2050? Idea

Montressor

AutoTechGuy

There are two huge reasons why we aren't currently developing a Mars colony (at least if we are developing it, we don't know about it).

1> Money... manned missions are VERY VERY expensive, let alone a manned transport to the Red Planet.

2> Logistics... given our current technology, it would be almost impossible to send regular cargo vessels out there in order to resupply whatever is needed for the colony. Mars isn't exactly a "self sustaining" planet... in other words whoever would be living there would not be able to go out into the woods and hunt any food they may need, nor would they be able to go to the local gas station for fuel... well you get the gist.

Running regular resupply missions out there would be even more expensive, and the people living there would be at TOTAL MERCY for us to give them what they need. Now if an all out war were to occur, or for some reason the economy would become devastated, well... simply put, those people would die.

Although it would be nice to see, I don't think we'll be seeing any Mars Colonies anytime soon.. probably not our lifetime nor the lifetime of our kids, but depending on what technology advances lay around the corner, who knows.

chasbeen

When I suggested Mars as an ideal base for Colonisation i'm kind of assuming there IS water there which would make it possible to create a self sustaining unit. I mean I think it does have some gravity like the moon as well.

The ISS does not appear to be achieving very much more in the big picture and if water is proven conclusively on MARS then I think this will re-energise and redirect the effort into space.

I think the Moon landings were achieved because of the impetus from the cold war and would not have been achieved otherwise and so the real benefits and direction will probably occur for this effort with the historical complete confirmation of water on Mars.

My potential chronology is as follows:
2009:Mars landers 3 & 4 launched to possible/probable water sites
2013:Water confirmed at one then two sites
2016:Manned Mars 1 launched 5 astronauts 2 female 3males.
2016:Unmanned Mars 1a launched with building kits
2020:Construction of Mini Mars base complete. 3 astronauts leave surface and newly completed base to join Mars going homey orbitor.
2020:3 seperate rockets (Mars 2,3 &3a) launched from earth 2 manned 1 unmanned
2024:Mars population 10. Permant residents.
2025:Self sustained base extended and self sufficient. Farms and cultivation present.

You both were probably not around in 1969. I was and I remember getting up at 6.00 AM before going to school to see Neil Armstrong step down. I believe that with the new objective Money will be found. The all powerful argument for justification will be the greatly improved chances of preventing the human race dieing out.
Rolling Eyes

Moonspider

The maanned exploration of Mars is a follow on to NASA's Constellation Program:

CONSTELLATION

Respectfully,
M

Soulfire

Although not likely to happen in the immediate future, we aren't that far off.

chasbeen

Quoting from this site

"
The Orion crew capsule will carry astronauts back to the moon and later to Mars. The first flight with astronauts aboard is planned for no later than 2014. Orion's first flight to the moon is planned for no later than 2020."
Ive edited my previous information in the light of this new information:

My potential chronology is as follows:
2009:Mars landers 3 & 4 launched to possible/probable water sites
2013:Water confirmed at one then two sites. Test flight of Orion brought forward 1 year.
2016:Manned Mars 1 launched 5 astronauts 2 female 3males on the tested Orion rocket.
2016:Unmanned Mars 1a launched with building kits
2020:Construction of Mini Mars base complete. 3 astronauts leave surface and newly completed base to join Mars going homey orbitor.
2020:3 seperate rockets (Mars 2,3 &3a) launched from earth 2 manned 1 unmanned
2024:Mars population 10. Permant residents.
2025:Self sustained base extended and self sufficient. Farms and cultivation present. Rolling Eyes