Space exploration began when the Soviets launched Sputnik I on October 4th, 1957(A brief). Since then, space exploration has dramatically changed; the technology used today is far more advanced. However one thing that hasn't happened is the colonization of another planet. To colonize a planet terraforming to some extent has to be done. According to Dictionary.com, terraforming is defined as the alteration of the environment in order to make it capable for terrestrial life forms. Space exploration activist are interested to find ways to colonize Mars believing it will lead to major scientific breakthroughs. However from another perspective, the cost of space exploration since 1958 is over $900 billion (Wallace).The main argument against working …show more content…
The New York Times author points out that the trip just to Mars can range from an eight to nine month trip which can become tedious in a small, compact spacecraft (Regis). If astronauts managed to endure the tight living spaces, they would still suffer from consequent health issues. Living in close proximity to one another can create tensions between the voyagers, distracting them from the mission at hand. Not to mention, on the spacecraft voyagers will have to face constant noises and vibrations from the spacecraft as they try to sleep (Regis). This will cause more issues between the voyagers and not allow them to work at their peak level. Some of the few health issues Regis’s article mentions are bone mass loss, muscle loss, susceptibility to cavities and vascular systems that would function at impaired levels (Regis). The journey itself would put such a hinderance on the voyagers that the mission of colonizing Mars can become extremely difficult or even impossible. The fact that the astronauts must be at peak physical condition in order to survive the harsh environment of Mars may be a deal-breaker as the long trip would certainly take a toll on the health of the individual, perhaps too physically or mentally weak to survive their mission. In order to produce what is needed to live an astronaut would have to synthesize oxygen in “a lab or factory,” which would likely require an unimpaired mental state to do properly. The same principle can be attributed to the production of water by the astronauts (Regis). These processes also add to the potential required energy and cost of undertaking such a mission. Overall considering the factors that astronauts would have to face on the journey to Mars alone, there is a high chance of failure when it comes to the mission of colonizing Mars. In
Starting with Mars being too dangerous. Colonists could be exposed to radiation which can result in cancer, brain damage, tumors, sickness, or death. Secondly, Mars has a lower gravity than Earth which means over time colonists would lose bone mass, have a weaker immune system, and have a weaker heart and body. Lastly, colonists would be in a closed environment for a long periods of time which could lead to mental problems according to NASA and Mars One.
the success rate of a colonization mission in the future. It would be very difficult for
The ethical implications of space exploration and colonization are a widely debated topic, many people have begun to question what ethical right we have to colonize another planet given the way humans have polluted and destroyed our own planet. This assertion is somewhat logically flawed in that rapidly increasing population and urbanization are largely responsible for the damage being done to the natural environment, and colonation of other planets would drastically reduce these problems by giving humans more environments to inhabit and draw resources from.
Space travel is both fascinating and terrifying. The mystery of outer space captivates nearly all children and many adults. Neil Armstrong’s first words from the moon are iconic and will forever be engrained in the history of mankind. With the end of the Space Shuttle program many people have wondered if America’s space travels are coming to a close. Is space travel going to become a thing of the past? Kim Stanley Robison believes that the future of space travel, specifically an interplanetary mission to Mars, is not only fascinating, but necessary. In his short essay, “Why We Should Go to Mars”, Mr. Robinson starts with acknowledging that reasons for a mission to Mars “range from good to bad to terrible” (Robinson). He defines the range of common arguments which he believes are outlandish and seems to be wholly against the idea. His tone quickly changes as he presents what, in his opinion, are not only good but the best reasons as to why a Mars mission is not only a good idea, but a needed one.
As a country we need to start investing more money and research into space technology. Programs currently exist for this effort, but the potential for research and progress is limited by a lack of funding; compared to other government funded programs, aerospace funding is pitiful. Continued research in space technology is a necessary step in our growth and development not just as a country but also as entire human race. If we are to achieve this goal, it is necessary to increase funding for space research and technology and consider the possibility of colonizing outer space. If we limit our existence to the planet Earth, and continue to drain the resources on this planet, we will destroy the only home we have.
The idea of space exploration and/or colonizing in outer space is fascinating to many people. In fact, it has intrigued societies for decades. The book, “The Martian” by Andy Weir, is a fictional story that presents the possibility of manned space exploration to Mars. Although, no country has sent a manned spacecraft to Mars, Weir does an excellent job making this task seem like a reality. He seemed to portray space travel accurately. The story presents problems, mathematical, scientific, and sociological, in such a way that draws the reader into the dilemmas of the characters without the reader doubting the accuracy or probability of the situation (Weir 18-20). The manner in which the author does this indicates that he either has a scientific
The ecological impacts of space exploration are complex and the actions that we take now will effect us for generations, so it is imperative that we make informed decisions in order to preserve our planet and our solar system for the future. The careless exploitation of resources by humans on earth has already had a negative effect on the environment, pillaging “pristine forests” and leaving in its wake “disrupt[ed] migratory routes, soil erosion and species extinction” (Source E). Since the “final frontier” is still pristine and unmolested by humans, we must carefully consider our actions so we don't destroy space as we did Earth. We must avoid exploiting new resources, conserve the life forms we may find there and leave space in the condition we find it in in order to preserve its purity (Source E). Scientific approaches typically favor preservation and conservation, while a corporation's for-profit approach is disruptive and destructive to the natural conditions. Government sponsored, scientific organizations like NASA, who apprecia...
For this assignment, I want to look into the challenges of long distances space travel to planets such as Mars. The Idea for this assignment came from the book, The Martian by Andy Weir. However, the time in which the mission to travel to Mars takes place in 2035, and I want to compare and analyze the same trip with consideration of our current technology and challenges that we still face today. There are 3 main points that will be discussed in this essay, the distance from Earth to Mars and the problems that may occur in a long trip, what would be some challenges for the astronauts during the trip and comparing how the astronauts in the movies overcame them to current suggested ideas. This assignment will help me understand how viable the
While many look to Mars as the best hope, others feel it poses too many challenges and that humanity needs more than one chance at a new start. These people are building a large space station in orbit around Earth intended for . A small crew is sent out to set up a colony on another planet. The major topics of research will be space habitability and the effects of long term space flight. There are many challenges to setting up a colony on Mars.
Carl Sagan once said “every planetary civilization will be endangered by impacts from space, every surviving civilization is obliged to become spacefaring—not because of exploratory or romantic zeal, but for the most practical reason imaginable: staying alive. If our long-term survival is at stake, we have a basic responsibility to our species to venture to other worlds.” The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, is executing Sagan’s words every day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower created NASA in 1958 with the purpose of peaceful rather than military space exploration and research to contribute to society. Just 11 years after the creation, NASA put Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon, the first humans to accomplish this feat.
Populating another planet could help solve the population crisis and climate change simultaneously. Though, it seems we are not at that point currently, which is exactly why it is imperative that the government increase funding for space exploration. Now, even if inter-galactic habitation isn’t possible, space research helps us protect ourselves from asteroids and other threats, and could also be used to find other planetary resources. Nonetheless, it seems space research is of utmost significance if we want to continue living as a species.
...usion, the major challenges that humans could face on an expedition to Mars and back; are radiation exposure, biological problems induced by weightlessness, spacecraft
Space exploration can lead to the possibility to find useful resources throughout the galaxy for human gain. Many severe problems on earth could be solved through space exploration such as world hunger, overpopulation, and dwindling fuel sources. Things such as fuel could be harvested from planets for power generation and propulsion technology, and land to cultivate for growing food, as well as land for building living areas for the growing population. These potential resources...
Lots of people have different opinions on whether we can go to Mars. Some say that it is impossible because of the climate and distance between Earth and Mars. On the other hand, others believe that, in the near future, with all the latest technology, we will be able to bring humans to Mars. Wernher Von Braun was the first person to discuss and analyze this topic. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and Mars One are both conducting separate projects to find a way for humans to colonise Mars.
Human beings may indeed colonize Mars one day, and it’s a very worthy goal. But